An institution of general history from the beginning of the vvorld to the monarchy of Constantine the Great : composed in such method and manner as never yet was extant / by William Howel ...

CHAP. III. Of Sacred History. Contemporaries with the Babylonian Empire.

SECT. I. From the time of Phaleg, and the division of the Earth; to the departure of the Israelites out of Aegypt.

1. PHaleg being 30 years old, begat Reu, otherwise called Rehu and Ragau by the 70: Reu 32 years old, begat Sarug. He at 30 years of age, had a Son named Nachor. And Nachor, one (when he was 29) called Terah or Thare.

2. Terah being 70 years old begat Abram, Nachor, and Haran. Not that all these were born at the same time, or are to be accounted in age as we find them in order; priority in years not being constantly observed in Scrip∣ture; but rather that of piety and true worth. Haran is to be reckoned as the eldest; who died at Ur of the Chaldees, before his Father departed thence, and left 3 children, viz. one Son named Lot: and two Daughters, Milcah married to his Brother (and her Uncle) Nahor, and Sarai (or Iscah) to Abram. The second was Nahor, Father to Chesed (or Chased;) and so Abram the youngest; because he was born, not in the 70^th as hath been thought; but 130 year of his Father. For Terah lived in all(a) 205 year, and died in Charan. Abram, when he came out of Charran (which(b) Stephen saith, was after his Father's death) was(c) 75 years old; which being deducted out of 205, 130 years will remain. But if he was born in the 70 year of his Father; then, at his death, was he 135 years old; and having Isaac born to him, when 100, in the Land of Canaan, he must with him have returned back to Charran (which seemeth very incredible); or else he left it not at his Father's death, as Stephen must make us believe he did.

3. Abram therefore was born in the 130 year of his Father's life, and the 2008^th of the World; as is clear from the ages of all his Progenitors, taken at the births of their Sons, and laid together. About the 70 year of his age,

God commanded him to leave his Father's house, and come into the Land which he should shew him; promising to make of him a great Nation, to blesse him, and in him all the Families of the Earth. He, obeying this command, drew on his Father also with him, and so (together with Lot the Son of Ha∣ran, and Sarai Abram's wife) they came from Ur of the Chaldaeans to Charran and dwelt there. Dwelling there seemeth to intimate a longer stay than of one year; so that some probably think 5 years to have been there spent. For Terah, now very old, might detein them by his weaknesse; they being unwilling to leave him, till they saw him either recovered or dead: But after his death, mindfull of God's command, they left Charran, and came into the Land of Canaan. This journey from Ur to Charran, was the beginning of the 430 years of his, and his posteritie's, sojourning in a strange Land; the promise also made to him being so many years before the promulgation of the Law in Mount Sinai, as the Apostle Paul hath observed.

4. The first place of Canaan in which Abram made any stay, was Sichem; where God again appeared to him, and renewed his Promise; another of gi∣ving that Land to his Seed being added to it; and in this place he built the first Altar to the Lord. Thence he removed towards the hilly Country, and the Eastern tract of Luz, (afterwards called Bethel) where he built another Altar; and so proceeded into the Southern Coasts, whence a Famine drove him into Aegypt. There he sojourned, and taught the Aegyptians Astro∣logy, which Josephus saith, they were ignorant of, till he communicated to them the knowledge of it, and of Arithmetick. His wife being beautifull; for fear of his life, he counterfeited himself her Brother, so that Pharaoh began to cast his affections on her, till, plagued by God, he was constrained to dismisse them both in peace. Out of Aegypt then he returned to that place, between Hai and Bethel, where he built the second Altar: Now was he and Lot grown so rich, that no longer could they conveniently live together. Lot being departed to the Plains of Sodom, God again renewed his promise to Abram, which he more largely explained, both as to the gi∣ving of the Land, and the propagation of his Posterity. After this, as he was commanded, he went and viewed the Land; then pitch't his Tents in the Plain of Mamre neer Hebron, where he built another Altar to the Lord.

5. At this time 4 Kings about the River Euphrates, viz. Amraphel King of Shinar o•• Babylonia, Arioch King of Ellasar, (thought to be Arabia, because of a City upon the borders of that Country, called Ellas) Chedorla∣omer King of Elam (afterwards Persia) and ••idal King of Nations (thought to be many petty Kingdoms, adjoyning to Phoenicia and Palaestine) came and fought against the 5. Kings of the Pentapolis; viz. Bera of Sodom, Birsha of Gomorrah, Shinab King of Admah, Shemeber of Zebojim, and the King of Bela (afterwards called Zoar); all who, had 12 years served Chedorlao∣mer; and in the 1••^th rebelled. They overthrew these five petty Princes▪ led away much pillage, and many Captives, amongst which was Lot, who then sojourned in Sodom. Abram hearing this, armed 318 servants; and, pursuing them, recovered Lot, and all the prey, which he restored to the owners. In his return, Melchisedech (whom some improbably make Sem) King of Salem (or Jerusalem,) Priest of the most high God, brought forth Bread and Wine, and blessed him; to whom he gave the Tithes of all. In this storie Abram is first called an Hebrew by Moses (And there came one which had escaped and told Abram the Hebrew) which word in Scripture, is not found applied to any other before him.

6. Some(d) think he was so called from Heber the Son of Salah, and that this appellation onely was proper to his Family, because it kept the most antient or Hebrew tongue incorrupt. But(e) others finding the word to signifie one that cometh from beyond the water, or a Stranger; think it was given to Abram upon no other account, then because he came from beyond Euphrates. None of Heber's Posterity being called so but onely he, and some of his; they think, addeth much to their reason. They conclude, that

the Hebrew language was not appropriate to Heber as a reward of his piety, because those that descended of him used it not alwayes; and to others, be∣sides his posterity, it appeareth to have been natural. They instance that La∣ban spake Syriack, and the Canaanites and Philistins the Hebrew naturally; as the names of their men, places, rivers, &c. do shew. Therefore they judge it most probable that Abram speaking the Chaldaean language before (which onely differeth in dialect from the Hebrew) got both the name and language, after his arrival in the Land of Canaan. The Heathen(f) Writers thought them to have been called Hebrews from Abraham, as corrupted from Abrahaeans, out of ignorance of the language. Augustine also once inclined to this opinion, which he afterwards renounced.

7. Abram, after his victory over the Kings, received a more large pro∣mise from God, who ingaged to become to him a shield, and a sufficient re∣ward; and (for that it troubled him to go childlesse) to give him issue, from which should proceed an innumerable posterity, that, inhabiting a strange Land four hundred years, was to return and possesse this of Canaan, when the iniquity of the Amorites would be full, in the fourth Generation. This League made betwixt God and Abram was confirmed by Sacrifice; yet, Sa∣rai, seeing her self barren, perswaded her husband to go in unto Hagar her handmaid, of which he had a son born to him, and named Ismael, in the eleventh year after his coming into Canaan, the 86 of his Age and of the World, the 2094. In the 13th year after, God made another Covenant with him concerning the seed of Isaack, who was to be born the year following, and Circumcision was instituted as a seal thereof. Now, whereas his name before was Abram, or an High-father, it was changed into Abraham, or Father of a great multitude. And Sarai, which signifieth My Princesse, or Lady, (as of one family) was altered into Sarah, or a Princesse absolute; as of many Nations. Not long after, God made known to Abraham his pur∣pose to destroy Sodom, and the other Cities for their abominable wickednesse. He interceded hard for them; but there being not so many as five righte∣ous persons in Sodom, God having taken care for Lot and his family, rained fire and brimstone down upon the Cities, which together with the Plain were utterly destroyed; onely Bela was spared for Lot's sake, who fled thi∣ther. Of the rest the Dead Sea (into which the ground was converted) re∣remaineth a lasting Monument to this day. In this Sea (or Lake) no living Creature is bred, having nothing but a Sulphureous matter thence taken in great quantities. It is described to be 72 miles in length, and 19 in breadth. Nigh to it fair and pleasant Apples grow, which being touched, turn into a Sulphureous vapour: and a tradition remained amongst the Heathen of these Cities being destroyed with Thunder and Lightning from Heaven. Lot's wife, after she had got out of Sodom, looked back, and was turned into a Pillar of Salt. His two daughters, thinking all mankind to have perished, made their father drunk and lay with him; from which incestuous copulation came Moab and Ammon, fathers of the Moabites and Ammonites, two great and powerfull Nations.

8. A little after (in the same year) Abraham having continued in the Plain of Mamre about eighteen years, departed unto Gerar the Metropolis of the Philistins; where hapned the same thing concerning his wife, as for∣merly had done in Aegypt, Abimelech the King having taken her into his house, who therefore was plagued till he restored her with large gifts. The year being precisely finished, Sarah bare to him Isaac (so called because he laughed when God made mention of it to him) he being now an hundred years old, and she ninety; four hundred before the departure of his posterity out of Aegypt. At the weaning of Isaack, Sarah seeing Ismael mocking, procu∣red him and his mother to be banished the house, God bidding Abraham fulfill her desire herein, and promising to make of him a great Nation. When Isaack was grown up (though of what Age is not expressed, some gues∣sing thirty years; others (unprobably) ten, or twelve, because he must have been of sufficient strength to carry wood) God to try his father's faith, com∣manded

him to Offer him up for a burnt-offering on Mount Moriah, where afterwards the Temple of Solomon stood. He, out of obedience, went about to do it; but God accepting his will for a performance, renewed his pro∣mise to him. Sarah died aged 127 years, and after her death Abraham married another wife, called Keturah, by which he had other six sons. To those he gave gifts, and before his death sent them away from Isaack, the Heir of the promise.

9. When Isaack was fourty years old, his father procured him to wife, Rebecca the daughter of Bethuel, who was son to Nachor, the brother of A∣braham. She (married at fourteen years of Age, according to the tradition of the Jews) was barren twenty years; but then her husband beseeching God for her, she brought forth twins (Esau and Jacob) which strugled in her womb; the elder being, as God foretold, to serve the younger. Fiveteen years after Abraham died, being 175 years old, having sojourned in the Land of Canaan a hundred years; 22 after the death of Sem, four before that of Heber; in the dayes of Inachus King of the Argives, 1821 years before the Aera of Christ, in the 2183 year of the World. Of Abraham (be∣sides Artapanus and Charan before mentioned) Berosus the Caldaean had some knowledge, though he named him not. Hecataeus not onely made mention of him by the way, but wrote an History of him. Nicolaus Da∣mascenus in the fourth book of his Histories, related that Abraham, a certain stranger, reigned at Damascus; having come from a Countrey about Baby∣lon, said to be that of the Chaldaeans. That he departed thence with his people into the Land of Canaan, afterwards called Judaea, where his posteri∣ty grew very numerous; concerning which he should speak in another place. In Josephus his time the name of Abraham was famous at Damascenus; where was shewn a certain Village, called Abrahams dwelling.

10. After the death of Abraham, God blessed Isaack, and made the same Covenant with him. In a time of Famine, he also sojourned in Gerar, where dissembling concerning Rebecca his wife, the same thing happened to them as formerly to Abraham and Sarah, from another Abimelech, which name was common to all the Kings of the Philistins. Some years after, Ishmael died, aged 137 years, 48 after his father, in the year of the World 2231. From his eldest son Nebaioth, descended the Nabathaeans, who(g) inhabi∣ted part of Arabia, from the River Euphrates to the Red-sea, called Arabia Petraea, from Petra the Metropolis of the Countrey; which, wanting fruits, abounded in Sheep and Cattel.(h) Diodorus describeth it to have lyen like a Wildernesse untilled, as without inhabitants; without Rivers or Foun∣tains. It was unlawfull with them to sow or plant, to drink wine or build houses, being extraordinary desirous of liberty, and judging these things but tempta∣tions, to such as were stronger, to inthral them. Some of them kept Ca∣mels, others Sheep; some used to convey Spices, brought out of Arabia the Happy, to the Sea. When they were invaded by an Enemy, they betook them∣selves into the Wildernesse, which being vast, and without water, affoarded them sufficient protection. Another son of Ismael, named Kedar, gave name to a place of Arabia the Desart, often mentioned in Scripture. It is thought that, though the Chusaeans, Madianites, and Ismaelites were of several Originals; yet they dwelt promiscuously together, and grew up into one Nation of the Saracens.

11. Fifteen years after this, Isaack being 138 years old and blind, sent his eldest son Esau to Hunt for Venison, that he might eat and blesse him before his death. But Jacob, by his mother's help, supplanted him, and got the blessing, having formerly bought his birthright for pottage. Hereat Esau inraged determined to kill him after his fathers death; which Rebecca know∣ing, sent him into Mesopotamia to her brother Laban, that he might thence also take a wife out of her own kindred, and not make his choice amongst the Hittites, of which Esau had married two wives. In his journey, God ap∣peared to him in a dream and blessed him; for which cause he changed the name of the place from Luz into Bethel. Coming to Laban, after a moneths

time, he Covenanted to serve him seven years for his youngest daughter Ra∣chel; which being ended, Leah, the eldest was given to him in her stead, and presently after Rachel; for which he agreed to serve him other seven years. Rachel, most beloved, continued barren, and Leah because neglected, ob∣tained favour of God to be fruitfull, which raised such emulation betwixt them, as Rachel first, and then Leah, gave her maid to his bed, accounting the Children begotten on them as their own. Within seven years he had by Leah seven sons, viz. Reuben, Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Zabulon, and a daughter named Dinah; by Bilhah, Rachel's maid, two sons, Dan, and Naph∣tali; by Zilpah, Leahs maid, also two sons, Gad and Asher. Lastly, by Rachel her self one son, named Joseph, and born the fourteen year of his service end∣ing. Six years longer he served Laban for wages (being to have the Cattel of such and such a colour) which his hard master changed ten times; but could not withstand the providence of God in his growing rich.

12. Having served his father-in-law and Uncle twenty years, and obser∣ving what envy he had contracted from him and his sons, he stole away with all he had, and proceeded three dayes on his yourney, ere his departure was known. Then Laban with his friends pursuing, overtook him after seven dayes in Mount Gilead, which from the event of this meeting had its name. After several expostulations, they made a Covenant (Laban being warned by God not to hurt him) and, in Testimony thereof, laid together an heap of stones, which Jacob called Galead; but Laban, in his Syrian tongue, Je∣gar-Sahadutha. Jacob then, continued his journey towards Canaan, wrest∣ling with God's Angel in his way; from which he received a blessing, and the sirname of Israel. His brother Esau also met him, and lovingly received him contrary to his fears. The first place he stayed at was Succoth, so called because there he built an House, and made Booths for his Cattel. Thence he passed over Jordan, and came to Sichem, where he bought of Hamor, the father of Sichem, a Field, for a hundred Lambs, or so many pieces of money. How long he continued in either of these places is not expressed. Demetrius * and Alexander Polyhistor wrote that he abode ten years in Socot, saying nothing of Sichem; perhaps because he made little stay there. Indeed Dinah seemeth to have been ravished not long after their first coming thither; Ha∣mor speaking to his Citizens concerning them, as persons lately come; and her curiosity to see the women of that Countrey, probably may be thought to have proceeded, from the strangenesse of it. At the end of these ten years she was ravished, then sixteen years old; being born a little before Jo∣seph, and perhaps the same year. To be revenged upon Sichem, who com∣mitted the rape, her two brothers Simeon and Levi slew him, and put the whole Citie to the sword, coming upon them when they were yet sore by Circumcision, which he had procured them to admit of, that he might ob∣tain the maid for his wife.

13. Jacob much troubled hereat, was commanded by God to go to Bethel, having buried all the strange gods and the earings of his family under the Oake in Sichem. At Bethel he erected an Altar to the Lord, and here De∣borah the Nurse of Rebecca died. Thence he removed to Ephrath, being 107 years old, and when they had almost reached the place, Rachel died in Travel of Benjamin, having (as Demetrius and Alexander wrote) lived with her husband 23 years. Eleven years after Jacobs return into Canaan, when he was now 109 years old, Joseph being hated of his brethren, because he had brought to their father their evil report, and for his dreams (which presaged his preheminence over them) they sold him to the Ismaelites; who carried him down into Egypt, where Potiphar Captain of the Kings Guard bought him, being now seventeen years old. Ten years he lived with him: till re∣fusing to satisfie the wanton desires of his Mistresse, he was falsly accused by her of her own fault, and cast into prison. The year after, he interpreted the Dreams of the chief Butler and Baker of Pharoh, both which were in prison with him; and accordingly the Baker was hanged, but the Butler restored, who yet forgat Joseph.

14. At this time his Grand-father Isaac died, aged 180 years, in the 2288 year of the World. He was buried in Hebron, by his two Sons Esau and Jacob; the former having (as some think they have ground in charity to be∣lieve) reconciled himselfe to his Brother, and joyned himselfe to the Church; not being estranged from the Grace of God, but onely from the speciall and particular Covenant, as to the promised Seed; which they have the same reason to think concerning Ismael: The Funerall past, and the Goods divided betwixt them, being both exceeding rich, and therefore re∣quiring large room; Esau departed to his former possession of Mount Seir; Providence so ordaining it, that when the Israelites should afterwards come to inherit Canaan, his posterity might neither be destroyed, nor displaced. He was otherwise called Edom, and from him Idumaea took it's name, which seemeth from Strabo to have also included the Country of the Nabataeans. And likely enough it is, that he who married the Sister of Nebaioth, might joyn himself to them and praeside over them. This is the famous Heroe, from whom not onely Idumaea, but also the adjoyning Erithraean, Edomaean, or Red Sea, (all signifying the same thing) was so called; being known to the Greeks, by the name of Erythras, the same with Edom.

15. But two years after Joseph had interpreted the Dreams of the servants of Pharaoh, he was called up out of prison, to explain the meaning of one, which the King himself had dreamed. This, betokening 7 years of great plenty to come, and after them as many of famine; and it being necessary, as he hinted to Pharaoh, to chuse out some wise Man, who being set over the Land, should gather and preserve the fruits of the Earth, against the time of want; Pharaoh made choice of him, being about 30 years old, for this pur∣pose: he appointed him next to himself, and gave him in marriage Asenath the Daughter of Potipherah, Priest of On (or Heliopolis, where Strabo wri∣teth, that the Priests of old time had their habitation) on which be begat Ephraim and Manasses. According to his praediction, 7 most plentiful years ensued, wherein he gathered into store-houses the Corn that abounded; and after them came 7 other of famine, which praevailed sore both in Aegypt and the neighbouring Countries of Canaan and Arabia. Jacob amongst others, wanting provisions, in the 2d year of the famine, sent his Sons down into Aegypt to buy Corn. Joseph knowing them, though undiscovered, ac∣cused them for coming as Spies, cast them into prison, and dismissed them not, till Simeon (the eldest of those which conspired against his life) was bound, and left as an Hostage, for their bringing down of Benjamin; that so their story might be confirmed, of their being one Man's Sons, and that their youngest Brother was left behind. The next year, being pressed with famine, they returned and Benjamin with them, whom their Father was con∣strained to let go. Now, after some further terrifying of them, he made himself known, and sent for his Father down into Aegypt. Jacob understanding of his Son's life and promotion (whom he had given over of a long time, for dead) gladly went down, and with him 66 Souls, besides his Sons Wives; in the 3d year of the famine, of the World the 2298th, aged 130 years.

16. By Pharaoh's consent, Joseph placed them in the Land of Goshen, and there nourished them during the famine. He sold to the Egyptians the Corn formerly treasured up, and therewith purchased for the King all their Money, Goods, and Lands, except the Lands of the Priests, which were not alienated. The grounds he afterwards granted to the former owners, paying the fifth part of the profit to Pharaoh's use. After Jacob had lived in Aegypt 17 years, he adopted the two eldest Sons of Joseph; viz. Manasses and Ephraim, of whom the younger he preferred before the elder: He cal∣led his Sons together, blessed them, and told them apart what should befall them in their posterity. From Reuben his first born he took the prehemi∣nence, because he had defiled his bed, and gave it to Judah. He prophe∣cied of Christ's coming, commanded them to bury him in the Cave of Mach∣pelah, in the Land of Canaan, with his Ancestors, and then died at the age of 147 years, in the year of the World 2315. Joseph caused his servants

the Physitians to embalme Israel, and a mourning of 70 dayes (or 72), was observed for him, which number in that Country was onely proper to Kings; Then, obtaining leave of Pharaoh, he and his Brethren, with a great com∣pany of Courtiers, carried him into the Land of Canaan, and buried him there, according to his will, where they also mourned for him 7 dayes.

17. Being returned into Aegypt, Joseph forgave his Brethren the fault they formerly had committed against him (which now they feared he would revenge, after their Father's death,) and as long as he lived▪ he nourished them and their children. This space of time was 54 years after his Father's death, at the end whereof, having exhorted them to Unity and Concord, foretel∣ling them their departure out of Aegypt, and commanding them thence to carry his Bones, he dyed at the age of 110 years, when he had governed Aegypt; under severall Kings, the space of 80. Trogus Pompe••us (as ap∣peareth out of Justin his Epitomizer) wrote many things concerning him, partly taken out of the Sacred History, partly mixed with such Fables as the Heathen were not wanting to invent concerning the Jews. Abram, Moses, and Israel, are made by him Kings of Damascus, which City took it's name from their Predecessor. Israel had ten Sons, to whom he committed the Kingdom, and commanded them to call themselves Jews from Judah, who died before the division, and whose portion was divided amongst them all. The youngest of the 10 Sons was Joseph, whose excellent wit his Brothers fearing, they sold him to some Marchants that carried him down into Aegypt. Here learning the Magick Arts, he became very dear to the King, having skill in working Wonders, and interpretation of Dreams: moreover, no∣thing either Divine or Humane was beyond his reach; insomuch, that he foretold the barrennesse of the ground severall years before it hapned, and all Aegypt had perished with famine, but that the King, by his advice, caused Corn to be treasured up many years: finally, such was his knowledge, that his answers seemed rather the Oracles of a God, then the replies of a Man. Then followeth that Moses was his Son, who, being both wise and beautiful, became a leader to such Aegyptians as were infected with scab and itch, and so returned to Damascus, the Country of his Ancestors. Which lyes (with others hereafter to be mentioned) are to be attributed to the malice of the Aegyptians. With the life of Joseph endeth the first Book of Moses his history, called by the Greeks, Genesis, which containeth the account of 2369 years of the World. The next to it in order of time, the Book of Job is thought to be; of which Moses also is reputed Author, by the common con∣sent and opinion of the Hebrews.

18. After the death of Joseph, and all that generation, the Children of Israel increased abundantly, and grew exceeding mighty; so that the Land was filled with their numbers. But a certain King arising, which knew not Joseph; to keep them down, he pressed them with sore Labour; and lest they should increase, gave order to the Midwives to drowne all the Male Children in the River. At this time (58 years after the death of Joseph, and 41 after that of Levi) Aruram, the Son of Caath, and Grand-son of Levi, by Jochabed the Daughter of Levi (so called by an Hebraism, and not Caath's own Sister as some have thought) was made Father of a Son, whom for his beauty they hid 3 moneths, not fearing the Kings command, and when he could no longer be concealed, put him in an Ark of Bul-rushes, daubed within and without with Pitch, and laid him on the brinck of the River. Hither the King's Daughter (by Josephus called Thermutis) coming down to wash her self, found the Babe; and moved with compassion, sent for a Nurse, which was Jochabed her self, through the procurement of Miriam her Daughter, which had watched what would become of the Child, and unknown, had offered her selfe for a messenger. Being nursed up, she edu∣cated him as her own Son, and called him Moses, because she had taken him out of the water. Moy in the Aegyptian tongue, as Josephus saith, sig∣nifying Water, and Yses taken out, though Mosche in the Hebrew is no com∣pounded word, signifying drawn out, delivered, or rather a deliverer; not

without a mystery; he being a Type of that great Deliverer of Mankind. He was learned in all the Learning of the Aegyptians, and became mighty in words and in deeds.

19. But Moses being grown up, by Faith refused to be called the Son of Pharaoh's Daughter, and despised the pleasure of his Court; having, accor∣ding to Josephus his history, thrown down his Crown, sett upon his head when a Child, and trampled it under his feet; for which, as an ill omen, the Priest (who had foretold, that his Nativity would prove dysastrous to the Aegypti∣ans) would have had him slain; but he was spared through the affection of Thermutis. Being forty years old, he visited his Brethren the Israelites; and looking upon their burdens, when he saw an Aegyptian smiting one of them, he killed him, and hid his bodie in the sand. But this coming to Pharaoh's ear, he was forced to flye for his life, into the Land of Midian, where he kept the Sheep of Jethro, or Hebab, Priest of that Country, who gave him Zipporah his Daughter to wife. Forty years he continued with him, till the burthens of the Children of Israel were grown so intolerable, after above 80 years continuance, that God, being moved with their cries, called to him out of a burning Bush, as he was feeding Sheep, to send him on a message to Pharaoh, about their dismission. He laboured by all means to make excuse; but at length, confirmed by promise of Divine assistance by Miracles, and the company of his Brother Aaron, (3 years elder); he under∣took the employment.

20. This message was ill resented by Pharaoh, and greater burthens im∣posed on the people; no Straw being now allowed them, for the making of Brick, in which servile worke they were imployed. Many signs and wonders were wrought by Moses, in the King's presence, which little availed; Jannes and Jambres, Magicians, doing the same with their Enchantments. Ten Plagues also by the Ministry of Moses, God inflicted upon the Land. 1. The waters were turned into blood. 2. Frogs swarmed in the Land. 3. Lice. 4. Flies and other Insects. 5. A Murrain followed amongst the Cattell. 6. Ulcers in Man and Beast. 7. Thunder and Rain mingled with Fire, and Hail, that destroyed the Corn with the Trees of the field. 8. Locusts covered the face of the Earth, and consumed the fruits thereof. 9. Ensued Darknesse throughout the Land Aegypt, such as no Aegyptian could stir out of his house, yet the Israelites had light in their dwellings. 10. Last of all, the First-born were slain, from Pharaoh that sate upon the Throne, to the First-born of the Captive in the Dungeon, and the first-born of Cattell.

21. The Nine former Plagues Pharaoh's heart was so hardened as to with∣stand; but the Tenth forced him to let the people go. Upon the death of the First-born, he and his Subjects thrust them out with haste, out of the Land, and fogot the Jewells of silver and Jewells of gold, which they had lent them. For the Israelites were commanded by God, to borrow these things; and, the night before their departure, to kill a Lamb; with the blood of which they were to sprinkle the lintels of their doors, that the Angel appointed to do this execution upon the First-born, might passe by their houses, at the sight thereof. And, in memoriall of the thing, this they were to do every yeer on the tenth day of that moneth (thenceforth commanded to begin the year, being called Abib) eating a Lamb in a travelling posture, with their loyns girt, and staves in their hands. Thus left they Aegypt, 430 years after the first promise made to Abraham, and his leaving Ur of the Chaldaeans, 400 after the birth of Isaac, 210 after Jacob's descent into Egypt, in the 2508th year of the World. This their departure is also attested by Heathen Writers; but related to have been upon such grounds, as the Aegyptians themselves invented; who, as it seemeth, took occasion from the Plague of Ulcers, which they suffered in their own persons, to feign, that because of Leprosie they were forced out of the Land; as will largely appear in the History of Aegypt.

SECT. II. From the departure of the Israelites out of Aegypt, to the death of So∣lomon, and the Rent of the Kingdom.

1. THe number of the Children of Israel may be esteemed by what is recorded concerning their men of War, of the Age of twenty years and upwards. Of these went out about 600000. besides Women and Chil∣dren; so that if those of that Age be reckoned as two parts of five, of the whole multitude, (which is the usual account amongst all Nations, to rec∣kon men for War, as 40 to 100. in respect of the whole body) then the totall number of all, both old and young, amounted to about 1500000. To these must be added a mixed multitude; which, having taken up their religion, went out with them, and is thought by some to have consisted of as many more; so that the whole sum of all together, at this rate, would arise to 3000000. As for the number of the Israelites, it need not seem incredible, that from about 70 persons in the space of 210 years, so many should pro∣ceed. For if but one man, in the thirtieth year of his Age should begin to be a father, and had but in all ten Children, who also with their posterity should beget at the same Age, that one man, before 200 years, would have des∣cended from him, of the sixth Generation 1000000. of the fifth 100000. of the fourth 10000. of great Grand-Children 1000. of Grand-Children 100. and of Children 10. But that the Israelites began to be fathers before the Age of thirty is more then probable; nature sometimes not requiring half that time, and there is ground sufficient to think that they often exceeded the number of ten Children. The Scripture relateth Abdon to have had fourty sons, Abizara thirty, and as many daughters, Gideon seventy sons, and Ahab as many. Aegyptus, Danaus, Priamus, and Darius, are reported to have had fifty Children; Artaxerxes, Justin relateth to have had 115. and Hierotimus 600. These things (to add no more) prove the great increase of the Israelites to have been possible in the course of Nature, although not without an especial providence.

2. Moses had gathered the people together, as Josephus writeth, about Ramesses the chief Citie of Goshen, that they might be in a readinesse, and thence they came to Succoth where was their second station. Here Moses propounded the command of God concerning the annual observation of the Passeover, and the Consecration of the first born. A ready way hence to the Land of Canaan would have been through that of the Philistins; but because the Israelites were born in slavery, and therefore had but low and poor spi∣rits; to exercise them, to stir them up, and lest, for want of experience, they should be so terrified as to return, God lead them another and longer way. From Succoth therefore they came to Etham in the end of the Desart, in two dayes; whither God conducted them by a Pillar of a Cloud by day, and Pil∣lar of fire by night, that never forsook them, till they came to the Borders of the promised Land. From Etham they journeyed to Pihahiroth, and thence to the Red-sea. Hither Pharoh pursued them with all his Forces, re∣penting he had let them go. They were there exceedingly struck with ter∣rour, and murmured against Moses, for bringing them out of Egypt. In this extremity God divided the waters of the Red-sea, which being as a Wall on both sides to them, they passed over on dry ground. The Egyptians essayed also to pursue them in this place; but the Pillar then removed from before them, and placed it self between them, giving light to the Israelites, but causing great darknesse to their Enemies. Hereupon ensued great consternation, and a pannick fear amongst the Egyptians, which causing great disturbance, the Lord also fought against them, and they fled. But then the waters returned to their place and overwhelmed them all, so that nei∣ther Pharoh, nor any one of his men escaped. This place of the Red-sea be∣ing

here not at all fordable, the sole power of God procured their passage; though Josephus, to gain credit to the story from the incredulous Heathen, taketh off from the miracle by an unsutable comparing of it to Alexander the Great his passing the shoar of the Pamphylian-Sea, which at low water was ever bare, and at other times not very deep.

3. From the Red-Sea they journeyed three dayes through the Wildernesse of Etham; (which, as it seemeth, stretcheth forth it self to both the sides of the Sea) where they found no water. Thence they came to Marah, where they found water, but bitter, and thence the place had its name; which bit∣ternesse was removed by the casting in of a certain Tree which God shewed to Moses. From Marah they came to their fifth station at Elim, where were twelve Fountains of water, and seventy Palm-Trees, and thence to the Red-Sea; which name seemeth to be applied to some Bay or Creek thereof. From the Sea they came into the desart of Sin, where they pitched their Tents on the fifteenth day of the second moneth after their departure. Here murmuring for flesh, Quails were rained down upon the Camp at evening, and in the morning was there found Manna, which continued every morning to fall, all the fourty years they abode in the Wildernesse. This Wildernesse of Sin being very large, and reaching as far as Mount Sinai, they had several stations in it. The ninth was at Diphka, the tenth at Alush, the eleventh at Rephidim, where the people again murmuring for water, the Rock being struck by Moses gushed out into streams. Whil'st they here continued, the Amalekites (descended from Amalek, who was the son of Eliphaz, and Grand son of Esau) fell in upon their rear, and made slaughter of the weaker sort. Moses against them sent Joshua the son of Nun, he himself in the mean time praying to God in the Mount. And as long as his hands were lifted up the Israelites overcame, but when he let them down the Amale∣kites prevailed; so that Aaron his brother, and Hur his sister Miriam's hus∣band, bore them up till the going down of the Sun.

4. In the third moneth they removed, and took up their station in the de∣sart of Sinai, over against the Mountain Horeh (which 'tis thought was some part of Sinai) and here they continued almost a year; to the 20^th day of the second moneth of the next year. Upon this Mountain, God gave the Law of the ten Commandments in a terrible manner, on the 50th day after their coming out of Egypt, as some of the Ancients apprehended. The day af∣ter, several other Laws were promulgated, as it were Commentaries upon the Decalogue, both Judicial and Ceremonial. Then Moses having Offered Sacrifice, read the book of the Law to the people, and made a Covenant be∣twixt God and them, and went up into the Mount where he remained fourty dayes: six in the lower and cloudy, and 34 in the highest and fiery part. In this space of time he received advice concerning the structure of the Taber∣nacle, the Ornaments and Consecration of Priests, &c. From this fami∣liar Conversing of God with Moses, the Heathen Law-givers took occasion to feign such a priviledge to themselves. As amongst the Getes, Zamolxis gave out he received two Laws from Vesta. Zathraustes amongst the Ari∣maspians from a good Doemon. Mneves, amongst the Egyptians, from Mer∣cury, Minos the Cretian, from Jupiter. Lycurgus the Lacedaemonian from Apollo, and Numa the Roman from the Goddesse Egeria. To this number Diodorus, out of Ethnick ignorance, addeth Moses himself, writing that he counterfeited conference with the god Jaus.

5. But the people missing Moses so long a time, and not knowing what was become of him, raised a tumult, and caused Aaron to make them a god that might go before them. The Hebrews have a Tradition that Hur, opposing this, was slain; but Aaron, overcome with their furious importunity, made them a molten Calf of Gold, after the fashion of the Egyptians, who Worshipped two Heifers, Apis and Mnevis, which they accounted gods. Fourty dayes, and as many nights being ended, God gave Moses two Tables of stone, wherein was written the Decalogue by his own finger, and sent him down, telling him wherein his people were employed. Moses something

appeasing Gods wrath came down from the Mount; but seeing them dance before the Calf, in a great rage cast the Tables out of his hands and brake them. He put the Calf into the fire, and grinding it to pouder threw it into the Brook, and made them to drink of the water: then commanded the Le∣vites to take every man his sword, and slay his Neighbour; so that of the peo∣ple fell that day about 3000 men. After this, going up into the Mount the second time, he interceded for the people, and at his return, removed the Tabernacle, or Tent, wherein he used to speak with God, out of the Camp, in token of the Lords displeasure. He hewed two new Tables of stone like to the former, and having given order for the making of an Ark of Wood, and all things about the Tabernacle, according to the pattern shewed him in the Mount, he went up the third time, and continued there fourty dayes and as many nights without eating any thing, as before. In this time God wrote anew the ten Commandments; and, being pacified, renewed the league condi∣tionally, and proposed other Laws to the people. When Moses returned his face shone, so that he put thereon a vail when he spake to the multitude, to which he declared Gods commands, urged the observation of the Sabbath, and the offering for making of the Tabernacle; in the work whereof, the latter part of this year was spent by Bezaleel, and his Companions.

6. On the first day of the first moneth of the second year, was the Taber∣nacle reared, and in this moneth were these things done which are spoken of in the third book of Moses, called Leviticus. On the fourteenth day was the passeover celebrated in the Wildernesse of Sinai. On the first of the se∣cond moneth God commanded Moses to number all the Israelites, except the Tribe of Levi, from twenty years old to sixty; the number of whom a∣mounted to 603550. just so many as had been found seven moneths before, when the contribution was to be made for the Tabernacle. On the 20^th of the same moneth, the Cloud which rested on the Tabernacle removed, and they following it in four Armies came from the Wildernesse of Sinai to that of Para••, where they stayed 23 dayes in their 13^th Mansion of Kibroth-Hattaavah. Here the people, weary of their Heavenly bread, lusted after the flesh of Egypt, and were punished with a sudden fire, which devoured ma∣ny, and was at length quenched by the prayer of Moses. Here also Moses complaining to God of the great burthen which lay upon him; the Sanhedrim of the seventy Elders was instituted. In this place, moreover, God gave the people Quailes for a whole moneth on which they surfeited, so that a plague arose whil'st the flesh was yet betwixt their teeth, and many perished. Hence the place had its name of Kibroth-Hattaavah, or the Sepulchers of concu∣piscence.

7. From Kibroth-Hattaavah they removed to Hazeroth, where Aaron and Miriam spake against Moses about his wife; Miriam for that, was struck with Leprosie, and cast out of the Camp; till Aaron, confessing their fault, and interceding to Moses for her, he prayed to God, and she was healed. She being after seven dayes received again into the Camp, they removed, and came to Rithma, near unto Cades-barnea, in the same desart of Paran. In the fifth moneth of the second year, and the time of Vintage, Caleb the son of Jephunne, Joshua the son of Nun, and ten other principal men were hence sent to spy the Land of Canaan. After fourty dayes they returned▪ bringing with them of the fruit of the Land. Caleb and Joshuah incouraged the people, but the rest utterly disheartned them, causing them to dispair ever to possesse it, because of the strength of the walled Towns and the Gyants which there lived. This raised such a mutiny, that they not onely murmured against Moses, but spake of making them a Captain, and of return∣ing into Egypt, threatning to stone Caleb and Joshua, who laboured to the contrary. This so highly provoked the Lord, that he threatned suddenly to destroy them, and being prevailed with by Moses to mitigate his wrath, de∣nounced that none of twenty years and upwards should ever enter into the promised Land, but wander up and down till their Carkeises fell in the Wil∣dernesse; except Caleb and Joshua. And this sentence was presently execu∣ted upon the ten, which had caused the sedition.

8. When they had therefore now arrived at the borders of the promised Land, they were commanded to turn back again into the Wildernesse towards the Red Sea. But to make some amends, as they thought, for their late fear and cowardise, they arose in the morning; and, against the expresse command of Moses, went up into the Mountain to fight, where the Amalekites and Canaanites that there inhabited, smote and discomfited them even unto Hor∣mah. At their return they wept before the Lord, but were not heard; and upon this occasion, and the death of those that fell daily in the Desart, Moses, as it's thought, composed the 90 Psalm, wherein complaining of Humane frailty, and shortnesse of life, he signifieth that Man's age was reduced to 70 or 80 years; and so now the third time was it, as it were, cut shorter by the halfe; the two former having been immediatly after the Flood; and again, in the time of Phaleg, at the division of the Earth.

9. Thenceforth, from their departure from Cades-Barnea, are numbred 17 more stations in the Wildernesse of Paran, wherein they spent 38 years, wandring about, till all the rebellious ones were consumed. The things which hapned in those years, cannot certainly be fixed upon any particular one, Moses herein being silent. Yet it is thought, that the History of the Man that gathered sticks on the Sabbath day, and for it was stoned; of the rebellion of Corah and his Companions, of Aaron's Rod that budded, &c. are to be referred to the latter part of the second year; none of the forty, except the two former and the last of all, being taken notice of by Moses, who recordeth onely the 17 mansions which were taken up, during the 37 years that passed between. The 17^th and the last of these (being the 32^nd mansi∣on reckoned from the beginning) was at Ezion-gabe••, upon the Red Sea in the Country of the Edomites, whence they came to Cades, where they took up their 33 mansion. Hierome and others, account this Cades the same with Cades-barnea the 15^th station, making the Israelites to have after so many windings and turnings, in so many years, returned to the same place. But, others finding Cades-barnea in the Southern confines of Canaan, will have this Cades or Kadesh, a place different from it, and near to Ezion-gaber up∣on the Red Sea, (whence they immediately passed to it) in the Desart of Zin. Whilst they remained in Cades, Miriam died at the age of 126 years, and was there buried. After this the people murmured, because the water which had hitherto followed them from the Rock Rephidim, here failed, being, as some think, swallowed up of the Red Sea. Hereupon Moses and Aaeron were commanded onely to speak to a Rock in that place, to give out water; but Moses, wearied with the untowardnesse of the multitude, uttered some words of impatience and diffidence, and struck the Rock twice, so that the water gushed out in great abundance. Because they did not sanctifie God in the eyes of the people, he was angry with them, and excluded them both from entering into the Land of promise.

10. Moses afterwards sent to the King of Edom, desiring leave to passe qui∣etly through his Country; but, he opposing, he led the people by the borders from Kadesh unto Mount Hor, where Aaron died, some 4 moneths after his Sister Miriam, at the age of 123; in the 40 year of their wandring in the Wildernesse; and Eleazer his Son succeeded him in the Office of High-Priest. In the 6^th moneth of the 40 year, the King of Arad, who inhabi∣ted the southern parts of Canaan, came out against them and took many pri∣soners; whereupon, they vowed, if God would deliver his Country into their hands, to destroy his Cities. Hereunto God assenting, they went up, and prospering, gave to the Country the name of Hormah, which is the same with Anathema, or Cursed. Then ••ournyed they from mount Hor, to compass about the Land of Edom (against which God had charged them not to fight, because of their Ancestors) and came to the 35^th mansion of Tsalmona, which signifieth an image. For here the people murmuring against the Lord and Moses, because of the tediousnesse of the journy, and loathing Manna, were bitten by fiery Serpents sent by God (the Greeks call them Dypsades, and Aelian maketh them chiefly to breed in Arabia); so that many perished

without remedie. At length, Moses by God's appointment erected on a pole a brazen Serpent, upon which as many as looked, were presently made whole.

11. From Tsalmona they came to Punon, thence to Oboth, and so to Jie-Abarim, on the borders of Moab, in the Desart thereof, towards the Sun-rising. Here runneth the Brook Zared, towards which, when they passed, God commanded them not to make War upon the Moabites, who had for∣merly beaten hence Giants called Emmim, as their Bretheren the Ammo∣nites had also outed others, known by the name of Z••mzummim. Thirty eight years after their removall from Kades-barnea, the Israelites passed Za∣red, all the carkeises of the rebellious being in that space fallen in the Wil∣dernesse, and came to their 39^th Mansion of Dikon-Gad. Thence they tra∣velled to Almon-Diblathaim, still in the Desart of Moab, and being to touch upon the borders of the Ammonites, God forbad them to molest these also, because descended of just Lot. He commanded them to passe over the River Arnon; which having done, they removed to their 41 Mansion, in the Mountain of Abarim, over against Nebo.

12. Out of the Wildernesse of Kedemoth, Moses sent to Sihon, the Amorite, King of Heshbon, to desire leave peaceably to passe through his Bor∣ders; but he refused, and opposed them at Jahaz, where he was discomfited and slain. The Israelites thus became Masters of his Cities and Country, which (as Josephus writeth) lay like an Island between three Rivers; Arnon on the South, Jabock on the North, (which falling into Jordan, loseth it's name) and Jordan it self on the West; being on the East, bounded with the Mountains of Arabia. As they proceeded by the way of Basan, Og King thereof, who remained of the Giants called Rephidim, opposing them, was also slain, and his Country wholly subdued, with the destruction of it's Inha∣bitants; and in like manner all Argob (afterwards called Trachonitis) where∣in were Sixty Cities. After these Victories, they removed from the Moun∣tains of Abarim, and came to their 42^d and last Mansion (taken up by Mo∣ses) near Jordan, lying from Jesimoth unto Shittim or Abel-Shittim, in the plains of Moab, which was so called, because the Moabites formerly posses∣sed them, till driven beyond Arnon by the Amorites. Here they continued till they were led thence by Joshua, to passe over Jordan.

13. When Balack King of Moab had heard all that the Israelites did to the Amorites; lest under pretence of passage, they might also seize upon his Kingdom, he consulted with the Midianites, and sent into Mesopotamia for Balaam the Son of Beor, the Soothsayer, to come and curse them; in∣tending afterwards, to fall upon them. Balaam, having the pleasure of God revealed to him, at first feared to come: and though he came at the second message, and laboured all he could to curse them; yet was he over-ruled, and his curse turned into a blessing. But although he had no power to curse, yet he advised the King to that which tended especially to their destruction; To send some of the most beautifull Women into the Camp, to draw them both to Carnall and Spirituall Fornication; the later of which was commit∣ted with Baal-peor, the Idoll of the Moabites. God being angry hereat, commanded the principall of the Idolaters to be hanged up before the Sun, and Moses gave order to the Judges, to slay every one his men: A Plague also brake out amongst them, whereby in one day fell 23000 Men; to which those that were hanged and fell by the Sword, being added, advance the number to 24000. Phineas the Son of Eliazar the Priest executing judg∣ment upon Zimri an Israelite, and Cozbi a Madianitish Woman, in the act of Fornication; the Wrath of God was thereby appeased, and the Plague staied.

14. A little after, God commanded Moses the third time to number the people. In this space of 40 years all the Men of War were perished, except Caleb and Joshua, which amounted to the number of 603000. Yet was there by this time such a supply of young ones grown up, that they almost equallized the number of their Fathers; there being found 601730, from 20 years old

and upwards, besides 23000 Levites, reckoned from a moneth old. After this, Moses, by Gods command, sent Phineas with 12000 Men against the Midianites, who had conspired with the Moabites against them. He destroy∣ed them, and amongst them Balaam the Soothsayer, who, as it appeareth, was not yet returned. The Women they brought away Captives; whereof the Married-ones they slew, and kept the Virgins for themselves. Now were the Lands of Sihon King of the Ammorites, and Og King of Bashan, divided amongst the Re••benites, Gadites, and the half Tribe of Manasses, on this condition, that they should accompany their bretheren over the River Jor∣dan, and assist them in the conquest of the Land of Canaan, so long as need should require.

15. The time now drew near, that Moses must dye, being not to passe over into the Land of Canaan. Therefore in the 11^th moneth of the 40^th year, he made a repetition of the Law to the people, related God's bene∣fits bestowed on them, and exhorted them to obedience. The Law he wrote in a Book, and commanded it to be read every 7^th year, at the Feast of Ta∣bernacles. He also, at the command of God, wrote a Song concerning the future Idolatry, and afflictions of the Israelites. Joshua being then ordained Captain of the people in his stead, he ascended from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, part of the Mountains of Abarim, and whose top is called Phasga or P••sgah, looking towards Jericho. There God having shewn him the Land of Canaan, from the one side to the other, he died some 5 months after Aaron, being 120 years old (the third part of which time saving one moneth, he spent, as Josephus writeth, in Government) in the 40 year ending, after he had brought the Israelites out of Aegypt, the year of the World 2548. God buried him in the Valley of Moab over against Beth-Peor, and no Man knoweth of his Sepulcher to this day. Concerning his bo∣dy, a contest hapned between Michael the Arch-Angel and the Devill; the reason of which is thought to be, because Satan would have had the place thereof known, that the people might be drawn to Idolatry out of reverence to so great a person. The Israelites mourned for him 30 dayes, and with his life endeth the Pentateuch, or his five Books. The Book of Joshua follow∣eth, taking it's beginning from the 41^th of the departure out of Aegypt, and the 2549^th year of the World.

16. Whilst the Israelites were still mourning for Moses, the two Spies were sent over Jordan, (as some think) to search the Land. The next mor∣ning after their return, the whole Host removed from Shittim, and came to Jordan, where they lodged that night, and the next day passed over the Ri∣ver. As soon as the feet of the Priests which bare the Ark touched the wa∣ter, it fell off on both sides and made a way; so that they went over on dry ground, the floods not returning to their place, so long as the Ark remained in the channel. On the 10^th day of the first moneth Nisan, they arrived in the Land of Canaan, and took up their first Mansion at Gilgal, not far from Je∣richo. Here, (it's thought the next day) God commanded that all the Males should be circumcised, this Sacrament being omitted ever since they left Mount Sinai; because they were in constant expectation of travell: upon which account neither had they kept the Passeover since that time. Three dayes they rested, and on the fourth they did ear the Passeover, and the day following unleavened bread of the Corn of the Land, at which time Manna ceased, after it had continued 40 years.

17. The first place they fell upon with War, was the City of Jericho, which having compassed with the Ark seven dayes, on the seventh the walls fell down of their own accord, the City was taken, and all therein put to the Sword, except the Family of Rahab (she, having harboured the Spies, had security promised from them) whom Salmon of the Tribe of Judah married, to whom she bare Boaz. All the goods found therein were also accursed, nothing thereof to be made prey▪ which Law Achan transgressing, caused Israel to be discomfited at Ai, and for that was first stoned, and then burnt, with all that belonged to him. The Kings of Canaan, startled at Josua's

successe, combined against him; but the Gibeonites, fearing the worst, coun∣terfeited a Message to him as from a far Countrey, and procured safety to themselves and posterity; yet such, as slavery was joyned therewith. Adon∣sedek King of Jerusalem, and the Kings of Hebron, Jarmuth, Lachish, and Deber, enraged hereat, conspired against them and fell upon their Citie; to the relief whereof Joshua being called, raised the siege, and prosecuting his vi∣ctory against the Kings, at his command the Sun stood still over Gibeon, and the Moon in the Valley of Ajalon. Upon which strange miraculous accident this is observed, that Ajalon being scarce a German mile Westward of Gibeon, the Moon, as 'tis probable, was then decreasing, or in the wane, and, these two Luminaries standing still and moving together, the Astronomical account was thereby nothing at all disturbed.

18. Joshua drave the five Kings to that streight that they hid themselves in a Cave at Makkeda, where after he had utterly vanquished and de∣stroyed their Armies, he took them, and killing them, hanged their Carcases on five Trees till Sun-set: then cast them into the Cave and laid a great heap of stones thereon. After their death he warred with many other petty Kings, as with the King of Libnah, Lachish, Gezer, Eglon, Hebron, and the rest: there was not one Citie that made peace with Israel save the Hivites, the inhabitants of Gibeon; all others they took in battel, and utterly destroyed, except such as it pleased God to reserve, for a lash and scourge, wherewith to reduce them in times of Rebellion and for their exercise to be as Thorns in their eyes, and Goads in their sides. The Canaanites being thus deprived of their ancient habitation by Joshua and the Israelites; Many of them, as is conjectured, removing to the Mediterranean-Sea, (where they were known afterwards by the name of Phoenicians) continued not all there, but spread themselves abroad, and sent Colonies far and wide into many places of Eu∣rope, Asia, and Africk, concerning which that excellent book of Bochartus, called Canaan, is to be consulted. That is remarkable, which Procopius mentioneth concerning Pillars erected in the Province of Africk, called Tingitana, with a Phoenician-inscription to this purpose: We are they who fled from the face of Joshua the Robber, the son of Nane. How long this War continued till the division of the Land, is not expressed in Scripture; yet is thence to be gathered. For Caleb being fourty years old when with others he was sent by Moses to search the Land, was at the time of the Division, as he saith, 45 years older. Now the Spies were sent out in the fifth moneth of the second year, after their departure out of Egypt, or sooner; so that from that time to the entrance into Canaan, followed almost 39 years; (the Israe∣lites being fourty years in the Wildernesse) which being deducted out of the said forty five, six years and some few remain; during which the War in Canaan must have continued.

19. The Clerouchia then, or division of the Land, fell out in the begin∣ning of the seventh year from their entrance into Canaan, and in the year of the World 2555 also beginning. It continued about one year, as some gather from the story. First of all, an inheritance was given to two Tribes and an half, viz. the Tribes of Judah, Ephraim, and the other half Tribe of Ma∣nasses. Then met the Israelites together in Shiloh, because seven other Tribes yet remained undisposed of. Therefore certain men were sent from that place to bring a Survey of all the Land, which could not be done in a few dayes; and then after their return the division was perfected; for all which no lesse then the space of a year seemeth necessary. So, there are from the beginning of the World to the end of this Division, 2555 years, containing just so many weeks of years as there are natural dayes in a year, viz. 365. Or if we make a great year consisting of so many years as the solar year consisteth of dayes; then have we six (or seven) such great years. It is further obser∣vable, that from the beginning of the World, to the entrance of the Israelites into Canaan may be reckoned so many Jubilies of years (viz. 52.) as are dayes in the seventh part of a Solar year, one onely excepted. The War ha∣ving endured six years, they rested on the seventh, wherein the Division was made, as in the Sabatical year.

20. The rise therefore, and beginning of the Sabbatical year, and of Ju∣bilies, some chuse rather to fetch from the first entrance into Canaan, then from the division of the Land. For though they began not to sow the Land on this side Jordan till after the division; yet before this had they taken posses∣sion of the Countrey lying beyond the River, which was divided betwixt the two Tribes and the half; whereof, though it must be granted that those which were fit for War, accompanied their brethren over Jordan, according to the charge laid upon them by Moses, yet is it to be supposed that those which stayed behind were nourished by the fruits of that soyl. For Manna had al∣ready ceased, and the Corn which the other reaped of the Enemies sowing be∣ing but gotten by degrees, according as they Conquered the Countrey, could scarce maintain them without sending for supplies to those that stayed be∣yond the River. When they had ended the division, the Children of Israel gave for an inheritance to Joshua that which he asked, even Timneth Serah in Mount Ephraim, where he built a Citie, and dwelt therein. The Tabernacle of the Congregation was set up at Shiloh by the whole Assembly. As for the Levites they had no inheritance assigned them, but (the Lord being their in∣heritance) they were to live of Tythes & Offerings. Onely 48 Cities on both sides of Jordan were set apart for them to dwell in, which were also to be Ci∣ties of refuge, whither those that were guilty of casual homicide might fly from the avenger of bloud, and there remain in security till the death of the High-Priest. Joshua being very old at the division, is by the Jews said to have lived, past the first Sabbatical year, but to have died before the next arrived. Some give to his government twenty years, and some above; but others think he died, not long after the division. There is no certainty thereof from Scripture; but that he lived a hundred and ten years is expresly recorded.

21. After Joshua and that generation were dead, which had seen the wonders of the Lord, another arose after them that knew not the Lord, nor the works he had done; so that the Children of Israel followed other gods, serving Baal and Ashtaroth. For this cause the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he delivered them into the hands of spoilers which spoiled them. He sold them into the hands of their Enemies round about, insomuch that they could not stand before them; but whithersoever they went out, the hand of the Lord was against them for evil, as he had said and sworn. Ne∣verthelesse he raised them up Judges to deliver them out of the hands of those that spoiled them; and yet they would not hearken to their Judges, but went a whoring after other gods, and bowed themselves unto them. Here∣upon the Lord resolved not to drive out thenceforth any Nations before them, which Joshua left when he died, that by them he might prove Israel whether they would keep his way and to teach them War. There were left five Lords of the Philistins with all the Canaanites, the Sidonians and Hivites that dwelt in Mount Lebanon, from Mount Baal Hermon, unto the entring of Hamath. The Children of Israel dwelt amongst the Canaanites, Hit∣tites, Ammorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites: they took their daugh∣ters to be their wives, gave their daughters to their sons, and served their gods.

22. For this, the anger of the Lord was hot against Israel, and he sold them to the hand of Cushan-rishathaim King of Mesopotamia. How long this was after the division, the Scripture expresseth not. We read that he oppressed them eight years, but some think it should be read in the eighth year, viz. after the division, or eighth years, because this servitude ended in the eight. But that it began not immediatly after the division, neither after the death of Joshua, seemeth evident; because the Israelites served the Lord as long as that Generation lasted, which had seen his wonders; which cannot be con∣ceived extinct at the same time with him. Others think a longer time then seven years to have passed betwixt the division and this oppression, assigning fourteen years to the government of Joshua after the division, then ten more to the government of the Elders after his death, who might very well live longer then so; none that were twenty years old when they came out of

Egypt having entred Canaan except Joshua and Caleb. After that, as many years they attribute to an Anarchy, in the sixth year of which they will have the Civil War to have broken out betwixt Benjamin and the rest of the Tribes, wherein all the Benjaminites except 600 were slain. Four years after this War, and at the end of the 10th. Cushan the King of Mesopotamia afflicted Israel for its idolatry eight years. But concerning this there is no cer∣tainty.

23. At the end of the eight years, God stirred up for a deliverer, Othniel of the Tribe of Judah, Nephew to Caleb by his younger brother Kenaz, and his son-in-law. Into his hands the Lord delivered Cushan, and the Land had rest fourty years. After his death (which is set to the end of these fourty years) Israel turned again to idolatry, and the Lord delivered them up to Eglon, King of Moab for eighteen years. At the end of this term he stirred up Ehud a left-handed man of the Tribe of Benjamin, who under colour of a message stabbed Eglon into the belly, and gathering the Israelites together on Mount Ephraim, slew 10000 of the Moabites, all men of War. After this, the Land is said to have rested 80 years, the words being taken literally; but then some think none of the years of the Tyrants, or Oppressors, are to be counted severally, and by themselves, but to be included herein as other years after mentioned; else the account will swell much larger then the whole number of years, which the Scripture seemeth to allow of. If we take-in all the years ascribed to the Tyrants, then they will have it an Enallage (fre∣quent in all Languages) and instead of 80. Ehud governed, or the Land re∣sted under him onely eight years; but others think they have as much reason to take them literally.

24. After Ehud, Shamgar the son of Aneth judged Israel, but no men∣tion is made of any time. It followeth, when Ehud was dead the Children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the Lord, and he sold them into the hand of Jabin, King of Canaan, whose General was Sisera, and who had 900 Chariots of iron: he mightily oppressed them twenty years. It is most probable that in this time the Government of Shamgar was included, (he slew with an Oxe-good 600 of the Philistins, who at this time might also af∣flict Israel): or else it being but short might fall betwixt Ehud's death, and the oppression of Jabin; there being probability enough that some time pas∣sed after his death, before the Israelites so highly provoked the Lord as to be given up into Jabins hands. At the end of these twenty years Deborah, the wife of Lapidoth (judging Israel at this time in Mount Ephraim) moved by God sent for Barak the son of Abinoam from Kadesh-Naphtali, and made him Captain. He, with 10000 men of Zebulon and Naphtali, overthrew Sisera, who flying on his feet to the Tent of Heber the Kenite (descended of Jethro, father-in-law to Moses) Jael his wife killed him by a Nail driven into his Temples as he lay asleep. So the Land rested under Deborah fourty years as we read it, another interpreting it in the 40^th year, viz. after the rest restored to it by Ehud.

25. This time expired, and the Israelites relapsing to idolatry, God gave them up into the hands of the Midianites, and other people of the East, which afflicted them seven years, destroying their Corn, driving away their Cattel, and making havock of all things. This made them cry to the Lord, who first reproved them by a Prophet; and afterwards, by an Angel stirred up Gideon, the son of Joash, of the Tribe of Manasses, to deliver them. He having pul∣led down the Altar of Baal, and burnt his grove, out of 23000 men chose 300. with which number marching against the Midianites, he so affrighted them by a stratagem of Lamps and Pitchers, that he routed their whole Army. The Ephraimites took Oreb and Zeeb: Gideon following the Chance beyond Jordan wholly discomfited them, and took, and slew two Kings of the Mi∣dianites; Zeba and Zalmanna. After so great a victory the Israelites of∣fered him the Kingdom; but he refused it, and asked onely the earings of the prey, wherewith he made an Ephod which afterwards gave occasion to idolatry (all Israel going a whoring after it) and became a snare to him and

his house. But thus Midian being subdued, the Country was in quietnesse under Gideon 40 years, as most read it; but, as others, was quiet in the 40th year; viz. after quietnesse restored to it by Deborah and Barach.

26. Though Gideon refused the Soveraignty, yet Abimelech his base Son thin∣king such a thing was not to be neglected, dealt with the Sichemites, of whose City his Mother was native, to make him King: and by their help he seized on the Kingdom, having slain his Seventy Brethren upon one stone; Jotham the youngest onely escaping. The Israelites, after Gideon's death, had again turned after Idols, and therefore God not onely subjected them to the Do∣minion of this most wicked of all parricides, but to intestine dissentions, by reason of him. For after he had tyrannized three years, Gaal with the Si∣chemites conspired against him, which having timely discovered, he destroyed them and their City (sowing it with Salt) and burnt the house of their god Berith, with a thousand Men and Women which had fled to it. Then went he against Thebez, and took it, the Inhabitants whereof retired for defence into a strong Tower. Here, as he was about to set fire to the door, a Wo∣man cast down a piece of a Mil-stone upon his head, and so brake his skull, that he caused his Armour-bearer to kill him, lest it should be said, that he died by the hands of a Woman. After his death, Tolah, the Son of Puah, the Son of Dodo, a Man of Issachar, that dwelt at Samir in Mount Ephraim, arose to defend Israel, and judged it 23 years. After him Jair a Gileadite 22 years, thought to be descended of that Jair, who took the Towns of Ar∣gob, and called them after himself Hanoth-Jair; as his thirty Sons in like manner, after that example, named so many Cities, which they possessed in the Land of Gilead.

27. Jair being dead, the Israelites returned to their evil courses, serving Balaam, Ashtaroth, the gods of the Moabites, Ammonites, and the Phili∣stins; for which God sold them into the hands of the Philistins and Ammo∣nites. It is written, And that year they oppressed the Children of Israel, 18 years all that were on the other side Jordan, in the Land of the Amorites, which is in Gilead. Moreover, the Ammonites passed over Jordan, to fight also against Judah and Benjamin, and the house of Ephraim; so that all Is∣rael was sore distressed. Some will have this oppression but to begin at the death of Jair; others think, they had oppressed Israel 18 years before, and now passed over the River, to afflict the other Tribes. The Israelites cried to God, and being, reproved, put away their Idolls: hereupon, the Ammo∣nites being got together in Gilead, and the Israelites assembled in Mizpah in the same Country, Jepthah the Son of Gilead, begotten on an Harlot, was sent for by the Gileadites and made Captain, being a mighty Man of va∣lour: He first sent to expostulate with the King of Ammon, and to demand the cause of the War. He answered, it was because Israel took away his Land, when they came out of Aegypt, from Arnon unto Jabbock, and un∣to Jordan; of which he required restitution. Jepthah replyed, that in their journey from Aegypt, they sent to the Kings of Edom and Moab, to desire passage through their Coasts; but this being denied, they turned aside through the Wildernesse, and compassed about the Lands of Edom and Moab, not coming within the borders of Moab, and so at length came and pitched on the other side of Arnon, which was the limit of Moab's Coasts; Then, that Sihon King of the Ammorites denying them passage, and fighting against them, the Lord God of Israel delivered him into their hands: and they pos∣sessed the Land of the Amorites from Arnon unto Jabbock, and from the Wildernesse unto Jordan.

28. Seeing the God of Israel had dispossessed the Amorites, he demanded a reason, why he should possesse that Country; and whether he was any thing better then Balack the Son of Zippor, King of Moab, who never strove nor fought against Israel. Lastly, he asked him, why he recovered not the Land all the 300 years which the Children of Israel had enjoyed it, and appealed to God for righteous judgement betwixt them. These 300 years, if they be reckoned exactly; the years of the oppressions, and of the Judges, must all

along be counted in length, without including the one in the other; but if this be done, still many more than 300 will be found, and 100 years more will arise in the account of time▪ from the coming out of Aegypt to the building of the Temple, than the Scripture in another place alloweth of. Some say, if so many years really passed, betwixt the last year of Moses, save one, and this time of Jepthah, as those successions do make; 400 years was rather to have been mentioned, seeing the number exceeded that of 300; and therefore accounting the other way short of 300, they allegde, that it is usuall, when a full or round number is chosen, rather to make use of that which most favoureth their cause; and therefore Jepthah meant by 300, about, or almost so many. On the contrary, others believe, that the scrip∣ture doth not suffer them to omit the years of Servitude, and contain them under those of the Judges, which they suppose clearly appeareth out of those words before mentioned, which in generall describe the condition of the Israelites, as successively guilty of Idolatry, then punished, and delivered; after which, falling into an Anarchy at the death of their deliverer, they again relapsed into the same sin. They will have also the particular accounts of these things in Scripture, by their order and distinction, to hold out no lesse un∣to us.

29. But the King of the Ammonites not hearkening to Jepthah, was over∣thrown with a very great slaughter. Jepthah at his going forth, vowed, if the Lord would deliver the enemie into his hands, that whatsoever came first out of his house to meet him at his return, should surely be the Lord's, and he would offer it for a burnt offering. It happened that his onely Daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and dances; and after she had bewailed her Virginity, he is said to have done to her according to his vow. Some observe that for And in the place may be read Or, as if, he would offer the thing, if it were to be offered, or, however to consecrate it to the Lord. And their opinion seemeth most probable, who hold she was not offered up as a burnt-offering, but consecrated to God by perpetuall virginity and austerity of life, being altogether separated from Humane society, except four dayes in a year, for a little refreshment; it being said, that he executed his Vow upon her, for that he did not redeem her with money, according to the Law mentioned in Exodus but left her consecrated to God in an unmarried state, lest she should seem to be another's and not the Lord's. Jepthah, after this, warred against the Ephraimites, who spake against, and threatned him and his house. He cut off 42000 Men, all being slain in their passage over Jordan, that could not pronounce Shiboleth. Having judged Israel six years he died, and was buried in Gilead.

30. After Jephthah arose Ibsan of Bethlehem, and judged Israel seven years, then Elon a Zebulonite 10, and Abdon the Son of Hillel a Piratho∣nite, after him eight years. Now the Philistins again vexed Israel 40 years. Seeing neither of these three are said to have delivered the Land, some think those 40 years, to have included some of their Government. There are that fetch the beginning of them from the 4^th year of Ibzan, and end them at the death of Sampson, whom they will have the immediate Successor of Ab∣don. Of those that are for the lengthning out of the time, some think they are to be reckoned from the death of Abdon, and end at the beginning of Samson's Government, which others again inferr, by good arguments, to be included in them, or else 20 of them must fall in with the time of Eli; the Seventy Interpreters accordingly, giving to Eli not 40 years as the Hebrew Copies, but onely 20. Still there are not wanting, who think Eli to have suc∣ceeded Abdon, and Sampson's 20 years (who was yet unborn) to have been included in his 40. They fetch the rise of the 40 years of the oppression from 17 years before the beginning of Eli, and end them so many after his death. Sampson was a Nazarite from his Mothers womb, no Razor coming on his head, and keeping himself from wine and strong drink all his time. Hence, as his admirable strength is said to have layn in his hair, so others have ascribed it to his abstinency, as if it had not proceeded from the especiall

Providence and Power of God. He was the Hercules of the Israelites, re∣ally performing such things as the Greeks would scarce attribute to their's, on whom yet they heaped those things that were done by many. He afflicted the Philistins much in his life, but much more at his death, by throwing down the house of Dagon upon the chief of them, being therein assembled to make themselves sport with so great an Adversary, whom having got into their power, they had deprived of his sight.

31. Had Eli praeceded Sampson, he would have been reckoned amongst his predecessors; according to generall apprehension. The High-Priesthood which hitherto had continued in the Family of Eliazar for five Generations, (viz. in himself, Phineas, Abisna, Bukki, and Uzzi, according to Jose∣phus) was in Eli translated to that of Ithamar another of Aaron's Sons. The Sons of Eli being very leud, grievously abused their power, and he used not his authority in correcting them, whereby he so far incurred God's displea∣sure, that he threatened to destroy his house, as it came to passe. The Isra∣elites, towards the end of his 40 years, fought with the Philistins; but were worsted, and lost 4000 Men. To better their successe, they then sent for the Ark of God from Shiloh, promising to themselves victory in it's presence; but of the next Battell the issue was the same. Hophni and Phineas the Sons of Eli were slain, and the Ark taken. This news being brought to Eli, upon mention of the captivity of the Ark, he fell backward from a sear, and being 98 years old his neck brake. The Philistins placed the Ark in the house of their god Dagon, which Idol fell down twice before it; and the multitude was so plagued with the Haemorrhoids, that they were glad to return it back with presents.

32. To Eli succeeded Samuel, both a Levite and a Prophet, to whose Government, from the division of the Land, passed 450 years, according to St. Paul, as the text of(a) Luke now hath it. But to this place another in in the first Book of the(b) Kings, expresly seemeth to contradict, which maketh the foundation of the Temple to be laid in the 480th year after the Israelites departure out of Aegypt. This later number exceedeth the other but by 30. although in it must be comprehended, besides what is in the for∣mer, the 40 years of their stay in the Wildernesse, the six years which passed before the division, the time of Samuel's Government, the reigns of Saul and David, with the three years of Solomon, that passed before the building of the Temple; all which make up the number of 129; so that the litterall senses of these two cannot stand together: Some go about to reconcile them by drawing down the beginning of the 480 years, lower than the Text will bear; and by removing that of the 450, higher than is convenient: to whom others joyn, in attempting the reconciliation both of those numbers, and clearing up the matter concerning the 300 years ascribed by Jepthah, to the possession of the Land of the Amorites before mentioned. But there are, who find a necessity of confessing a mistake, either in the one or other Copie of these places. These are divided in their opinions, one party thinking they have better reason to stick to the place of the Kings, which is not so li∣able to any corruption (through the great care of the Jews) as the Greek text, hath that, by reason of the similitude of words, might well be changed from one to another, through the ignorance of transcribers. Another will have the 450 years to belong to the division of the Land, and not to the Judges: all which have been mistaken through the wrong reading of the words.

33. Others, both of antient and modern times, are very confident, that, all considered, the fault must fall upon that place of the Kings, which giveth but 480 years, to all that time that passed from the departure out of Aegypt to the founding of the Temple; and that, instead of 480, 580 was most anti∣ently written. For when any one place disagreeth with the whole series of History, clearly held out elsewhere, it is rather to be corrected in its number (which may easily be altered by a mistake of one word) than many places wrested to a compliance with it. Now all the times of the Anarchies, liberty, War, and servitude, of the Israelites laid together, without confusion of years

(for which there is no ground at all), clearly hold out a hundred years more than this place of the Kings; and so exactly from the several particulars make it up, that it seemeth to take away all doubt. From the departure out of Egypt to Moses his death, intervened fourty years; thence to the begin∣ning of Othniel 34. whereof 26 are given to the Government of Joshua and the Elders, and eight to the servitude under Cushan. Then Othniel go∣verned fourty years, the oppression of the Moabites followed for eighteen. Ahud ruled 80. The Canaanites Tyrannized 20. Deborah and Barak go∣verned 40. the Madianites oppressed the Israelites 7. thence Gideon judged Israel 40. Abimelech reigned 3. Tolah 23. Jair 22. and then the Ammonites oppressed Israel 18. all which numbers amount to 385 years. After this Jephthah judged Israel 6 years, Ibzan 7. Elon 10. Abdon 8. the Philistins vexed Israel 40. and Heli ruled 40. which make up the summe of 111 years. Then Samuel and Saul governed 40 years (as will be seen), David also 40. and Solomon 3. before the foundation of the Temple was laid, which make up 83 years. Now all these numbers laid together amount exactly to 579 years, to which if the fourth year of Solomon be added wherein the Temple was founded, there ariseth the full number of 580. They perceive therefore it was not without reason that so many of the Ancients dissented from that place of the Kings, which might also be lyable enough to the carelesnesse of Scribes. According to this account, Students in History and Chronology are to take notice that a hundred years are to be added to the more ordinary Aera of the World.

34. In the dayes of Samuel, the Philistins grievously afflicted Israel, till such time as by his means, the people being turned to the Lord cast off their idols, and solemnly repented at Mizpah: Hereat God was pleased to spare them, and thundring upon the Philistins, when they were ready to joyn bat∣tel, discomfitted them utterly, & so terrified them that they forsook the Cities formerly seized on, leaving onely one Garrison in the Countrey; and no more afflicted the Children of Israel so long as Samuel had the chief power in his hands. When he grew old he made his sons Judges over the Land; who per∣verting Justice by bribery, the people thence gladly took occasion to desire a King, that in government they might be conformable to other Nations. Their most urgent reasons were, for that the Philistins yet kept an Hold in their Countrey, and Nahash the King of the Ammonites threatned them with War; at which they were so affrighted that neither trusting in God's provi∣dence (who hitherto had been their King, and avenger) nor to the Justice and prudence of Samuel, would they be satisfied, or put off without a King. God therefore gave unto them Saul the son of Kish of the Tribe of Ben∣jamin.

35. In the book of Samuel no certain years are either given to his own government, or to that of Saul, but it seemeth probable from Scripture that he governed about twenty years alone, from the death of Eli to the ele∣ction of Saul. For it is said, that the Ark of God abode in Kiriath-jearim twenty years; and that, the time being long, all the house of Israel lamented before the Lord at Mizpeh; which passages are joyned unto the serious ex∣hortation of Samuel to move them to repentance. So then the end of twen∣ty years, the exhortation, their repentance hereupon, and their moving for a King, with good reason seem to have been about the same time; so that 20. or 21 years and an half are to be given to his government, which began at Eli's death. Now Heli died when the Ark was taken; which staying se∣ven moneths in the Land of the Philistins was then sent away and came to Bethshemesh, where the inhabitants losing 50610 of their number, for their curiosity of looking into it, sent Messengers to those of Kiriath-jearim to fetch It unto them, with whom it remained twenty years; and these years the Israelites counted long.

36. Saul was first by Samuel privately anointed, and afterwards publick∣ly declared King at Mizpah. Not long after (a moneth it's thought) Jabesh-Gilead was besieged by Nahash, who refused to grant peace to the inhabi∣tants

upon any other terms than to put out all their right eyes, and lay this for a reproach upon Israel. They desired truce but for seven dayes; in which space, if no relief came they promised to come out to him. But Saul, hearing of their distresse, got together an Army of 300000 of Israel, and 30000 of Judah, with which he easily overthrew the Ammonites, and raised the siege. Hereupon, at the procurement of Samuel, the people again met at Gilgall, where the Kingdom was established, and confirmed unto Saul: at which time Samuel, upbraiding them with their unthankfulnesse to God, and him, terrified them with Thunder and rain in Wheat Harvest; and again comforted them in the mercy of God. Saul having reigned two years, the Philistins again afflicted the Land, with whom he had sore War all the dayes of his life. He fought against his Enemies round about; against Moab, the Children of Ammon, Edom, and the Kings of Zobah: he smote the Amale∣kites, and delivered his people out of the hands of them that spoyled them. Yet, his heart not being upright before the Lord, God chose him out a man after his own heart, and rejected him and his family. This man was David, the youngest son of Jesse, of Bethlehem-Judah, whom Samuel was sent to anoynt some years before his own death, and more before that of Saul. In this space, Saul persecuted him from place to place; yet such ardent affe∣ction was there betwixt Jonathan his son and David, that the love of a King∣dom it self, joyned with the deep displeasure of a father, was nothing able to interrupt it.

37. The Apostle Paul declareth; that, after God had destroyed seven Na∣tions in the Land of Canaan, and divided their Land to them by Lot, he gave unto them Judges for the space of 150 years, untill Samuel the Prophet. And afterward, they desired a King, and God gave them Saul, the son of Kis, a man of the Tribe of Benjamin, by the space of fourty years. Some take the words as giving so many years to his reign alone; but by general consent the government of Samuel is to be included in them. Samuel seemeth to have died not long before Saul (two years it's supposed), at such time as Da∣vid was provoked by the churlishnesse of Nabal; and is said to have judged Israel all the dayes of his life. Hence is it certain that Saul reigned not alone all those fourty years, and probable that Samuel having governed alone for one half of them, had still an hand in the publick affairs of the Nation. At length Saul was overthrown in battel by the Philistins, and lost his three sons, Jonathan, Abinadab, and Melchisua. And he himself being sore wounded, after he could not prevail with his Armour-bearer to kill him, fell upon his own sword and died. His son Isbosheth, by the means of Abner Captain of his Host, succeeded him at the Age of fourty years; but the Tribe of Judah anointed David, King over them in Hebron, who had for∣merly been consecrated to this Office by Samuel: and he reigned over that Tribe alone, seven years and six moneths. Isbosheth is said to have reigned over Israel two years; which is to be interpreted, peaceably, and not di∣sturbed by War; as his father is said to have reigned one year, viz. unmo∣lested by the Philistins.

38. For, after these two years were expired, a long War insued betwixt David and him; his side growing weaker and weaker, as David's grew stronger and stronger: David to strengthen himself married Maacha, the daughter of Talma, King of Geshur, on which he begat Absolom and Tamar. At length Abner conceiving a displeasure against Ishbosheth, because he had reproved him for medling with his father's Concubine, revolted to David, and laboured to transfer the Kingdom to him; but coming to visite himabout this affair, he was treacherously slain by Joab, David's General, and Nephew by his sister Zerviah. All being out of order now in Israel; Baanah and Recab two Ben∣jamites, the servants of Ishbosheth, slew their Lord as he slept in his Chamber, and brought his head unto David. He rewarded them with death, and was by the Captains, and all the Elders of the Tribes, anointed the third time King at Hebron, over all Israel; which government he held 33 years. A little af∣ter this installment he took Jerusalem from the Jebusites, and made it the

seat of his Kingdom; himself building and fortifying the Citie of Sion, and Joab repairing the rest. Then twice he overthrew the Philistins in Rephidim, who came up against him after they heard he was made King. The Ark of God he removed from Kiriath-Jearim, to the house of Obed Edom the Git∣tite, and thence after three moneths into Sion. He purposed to build God an house, but was forbidden (because a man of bloud) that work, which was to be reserved for Solomon. For besides his Wars in his younger time; all the space, betwixt this and the birth of Solomon, seemeth imployed in Wars; wherein he overcame the Philistins, Amalekites, Moabites, Am∣monites, Idumaeans, and Syrians. The Borders of his Empire he very much inlarged, not onely from Shihor of Egypt to the entring in of Hamath, but also as far as Euphrates, the utmost limits promised by God unto Abraham; and onely possessed by him, and his son and Successor Salomon.

39. Salomon was the second son begotten on Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah the Hittite; with which woman David first committed Adultery, and then for a cover added to it the Murder of her husband. After he had been re∣proved by Nathan the Prophet he repented, and wrote the 51 Psalm upon this occasion. Yet the Infant conceived in Adultery, died as soon as it was born; and, though Salomon was born the next year (at it's thought), yet this sin escaped not without a further punishment. For, within awhile, his el∣dest son Amnon ravished his half-sister Tamar, and for that was killed by Ab∣salom. Some years after, Absalom by the advice and policy of Achitophel seized upon the Kingdom. David hereupon fled to God as his Rock of re∣fuge, and composed the 3d. and the 55^th Psalms: then opposing force to force, overthrew Absolom in the Wood of Ephraim by Joab his General, who thrust the young man through with a Dart as he hung in an Oak, contrary to David's order, who had charged all the Captains to deal gently with him for his sake. This Rebellion was followed by a new sedition raised amongst the Israelites, by one Sheba upon this occasion; because they had not the chief hand above the Tribe of Judah, in bringing back the King to his house; but this was happily suppressed, after Joab had procured the inhabitants of Abel to cut off Sheba's head.

40. After these things, several battels insued with the Philistins, in one of which (the last wherein he was present) David hardly escaped the hands of Ishbi-benob, one of the sons of the Gyant; being rescued by Abishai his Nephew, who slew the Philistin. Not(c) long after, tempted by Satan and his own ambition, he numbred the people: for which God being an∣gry proposed to him three sorts of punishments, viz. Famine, Sword, or Pestilence; as to which, he chose rather to fall into the hands of God then of man. Then God sent a Plague, whereby perished in one day 70000 men; but, as the Angel was also about to destroy Jerusalem he was commanded to desist. David at length having arrived at seventy years of Age, was so de∣cayed and spent by his many labours and troubles, that he could not receive any heat from Cloaths, and therefore a young maid, one Abisag, a Shuna∣mite was chosen out, to lye in his bosom. Adoniah his son taking advan∣tage at this infirmity, by the assistance of Joab the General, and Abiathar the Priest, seized upon the Kingdom. When he had notice thereof, according to the prediction of God, and his promise unto Bathsheba, he established Solo∣mon in his Throne, and having given him a charge, died about six moneths after, when he had reigned over Judah alone in Hebron seven years and six moneths, and in Jerusalem over all Israel and Judah 33 years; in the year of the World (according to the vulgar way of reckoning without ta∣king in the 100 years formerly mentioned in the History of the Judges) 2985.

41. David being dead and Solomon established in the Kingdom, Adonijah asked Abisag the Shunamite to wife, and for that was put to death, as affe∣cting the Soveraignty. Abiathar was removed from the Priesthood, and Zadok, of the Posterity of Phinehaz, placed in his room, as had been fore∣told by God, against the house of Eli, from which the Priesthood now retur∣ned;

Joab for fear fled to the horns of the Altar, and there was slain by Be∣naiah, who was made Generall in his stead. Simei, who had cursed David when he fled from Absalon, was commanded to build him an house in Jeru∣salem, and not to stir thence beyond the Brook Kidron upon pain of death; which he after two years suffered, having broken the order. Solomon within a year after his Father's death, married the Daughter of Pharaoh; after which, offering 1000 burnt-offerings at Gibeon, where the Tabernacle then rested, God appeared to him in a dream, and offered him whatsoever he would ask. He asked onely wisdom to govern his people, and neither riches nor honour; with which God was so well pleased, that he made him to excell therein all meer men, and accumulated also the other upon him••.

42. Having all things in a readinesse for building an house to the Lord, (for which David his Father had made large provisions) Vaphres King of Aegypt supplying him with 80000 Men, and Hiram King of Tyre with as many, besides an Architect named Hypero (whose Mother was an Israelitish Woman, of the Tribe of Judah); he laid the foundation of the Temple in the 4^th year of his reign, and the second day of the second moneth Zif. The Structure being in building 7 years, the work began (according to their computation, who by reckoning the years of the Judges, and the oppressions severally, add 100 years to the Aera of the World) in the 3089^th year from the Creation entering, was dedicated in the 3095^th ending, and in the 587^th year after the departure out of Aegypt, also ending; from which if we substract those 40 they lived in the Wildernesse, then 547 years will be found to have passed from the Originall of Jubilies to the Dedication of the Temple, which make up eleven Jubilies, and eight years. So the service therein began in the eighth year of the twelfth Jubilie, or in the first year of the second week of the twelfth, which seemeth agreeable to the Ceremoniall Law, wherein most things consist in the number of 7, and are reckoned by Sabbaticall years and Jubilies. And if we divide 3095 by 7, we shall find the Temple dedicated in the first year of the 442^d week from the Creation, al∣most twelve intire Jubilies after the Service thereof had been first appointed on Mount Sinai.

43. About the same time Solomon built a Navie at Esion-gaber, on the shoar of the Red Sea, in the Land of Edom. This furnishing with his own Subjects and the Tyrians (then, by reason of the situation of their Countrey, the best Sailors in the World) sent to him by Hiram, he dispatched to Ophir, once in three yeers, for gold and other marchandise, whence they brought him 420 talents. The Country of Edom, David had formerly sub∣dued, and thence Solomon his Son had the priviledge of building his Ships there. Aeleth or Eloth, called by other Writers Aelana and Aelanum, was then a famous City, seated upon the Arabian Gulf, to part whereof, ly∣ing about it, it gave appellation. As Esion-gaber was the Arcenall for buil∣ding the Navie; so this City seemeth to have been the Emporium or Mart-town: and, as long as the Edomites continued under the obedience of the Kingdom of Judah, it is probable, that thence Marchandise was transported to Petra, the chief City of Arabia, and so to Jerusalem. But when the Edomites revolted (which happened after the death of Jehosaphat) the course was altered from Jerusalem to Rhino colura, a City in Phoenicia upon Aegypt; and there continued long, till such time as the Ptolomie's with much adoe, brought down the trade to Alexandria. To effect this, they made two Ports upon the borders, whereof the one bare the name of Bere∣nice, and is mistaken by Josephus for Esion-gaber, that lying at a great di∣stance both from this and Elath, which seemeth to be the same place, menti∣oned in(d) Strabo, by the name of Albus Pagus.

44. As this Navigation of the Tyrians gave a beginning to their Fame in that Art; so from it (as is probably conceived) came the name of the Red Sea, or that of Edom, first to be famous in other Countries. Their Traffick in∣creasing, they might well send out Colonies into other parts; and hence, as Herodotus writeth, the Sea-coast of Arabia might be inhabited by them; but

as for their coming from these parts to inhabit Phoenicia (which opinion seem∣eth to have taken it's originall, from the journey of the Israelites out of these Coasts) it is a meer Fable. Sailing out of the Arabian into the Persian Gulf, the name of Red Sea might upon this occasion be given by them to both (which is usually to be expounded of both in antient Writers) the word Edom, being changed into others of the same signification in severall Languages. As for Ophir, if we think this Country denominated from the Son of Sem, (or him from it) either immediately by his habitation therein, or rather me∣diately by the Tyrians imposing that name upon it, which properly belonged to a place in Arabia; then need wee not seek for it in America, and feign strange circuits to have been made, from the Red Sea round about Africk to sail thither; as those, who place it in that part of the World, are for∣ced to do.

45. Solomon after the dedication of the Temple, fortified Jerusalem with a treble wall, and repaired Hazron, the antient Metropolis of the Canaa∣nites; so did he Gaza of the Philistins: he built Bethoron, Gerar, and the Millo, or munition of Jerusalem. He also built Megiddo in Manasseh on this side Jordan, Balah in Dan, and Thadmor; which may be either Tha∣meron, in the Desart of Judaea, mentioned by Ptolomy, or Palmyra, as Jo∣sephus thinketh, situate in the Desart of Syria, on the borders of his Domi∣nions; which being many Ages after rebuilt by Adrian the Emperour, was named after him Adrianopolis. He built for himself in thirteen years time a Palace, and an house for his Wife the Daughter of Pharaoh. After this, he offered twenty Towns, bordering upon the Tribe of Asher, to Hiram King of Tyre, as a reward for the assistance he afforded him in his buildings; but he refusing them, he placed Colonies therein. And from his refusall the Country came to be called Cabul.

46. In the later part of his reign, he fell into great incontinency, and thence became accessory to abhominable Idolatry. He loved many strange Women, as (together with the Daughter of Pharaoh) Women of the Moabites, Am∣monites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites: of the Nations, wherewith the Children of Israel were forbidden to marry. He had 700 Wives, and 300 Concubines, which turned his heart after other gods, so that he went af∣ter Ashtaroth the goddesse of the Sidonians, and Milcom the abhomination of the Amorites: he built an high-place for Chemosh the abhomination of Moab, in the hill before Jerusalem, for Molech the abhomination of the Children of Ammon; and so did he for all his strange Wives, which burnt incense, and sacrificed to their gods. This provoked the God of Israel, who had twice appeared to him; insomuch, that for his horrible ingratitude, he determined evil concerning his Kingdom, to be fulfilled in his Son. Yet have we ground to judge well of his eternall condition, seeing he made a re∣cantation of his former errors, and was used as a Pen-man of Scripture by the Holy Ghost. He dyed after he had reigned 40 years, being without pa∣rallel for Wisdom, Magnificence, and Humane Frailty. A. M. 3025.

SECT. III. From the death of Solomon and the rent of the Kingdom, to the de∣struction of the Kingdom of Judah.

1. SOLOMON being dead, Rehoboam his Son, by Naama an Ammo∣nitish Woman, reigned in his stead. The Tribes, when they met at Sichem to make him King, petitioned for a relaxation of their burthens im∣posed by his Father; to which he answered so churlishly (despising the coun∣sel of the antient and grave Men), that ten Tribes revolted from him, and made King over them Jeroboam the Son of Nebat, who had fled into Aegypt for fear of Solomon, after that God's intentions came to be known

of giving him part of the Kingdom. With Rehoboam yet remained the two Tribes of Judah and Benjamin, and the greatest part of the Levites, who left their possessions and setled themselves in Judah and Jerusalem, because Jeroboam and his Sons had cast them off from executing the Priest's Office. With the Tribe of Judah is also to be reckoned that of Simeon, whose pos∣sessions were within the Inheritance of Judah, for which that part of the di∣vision that fell to it was too much. Part also of the Danites had it's seat within that of Judah; for it appeareth that they had some Towns in the division of the Land, which formerly had been assigned to the Children of Judah, who (as hath been observed) had so large a Country at first assigned to them, rather to protect and defend, than solely to possesse it. All these still remained the Subjects of Rehoboam, though ten Tribes are said to have revolted, the Tribe of Dan being attributed to Jeroboam, for that Dan the chief City, was within his dominions; and because the Tribe of Manasseh being separated and divided into two parts, might be reckoned for two Tribes. The King∣dom thus divided, the Northern parts fell off; but the Southern continued in obedience to the Son of Solomon, whose successors henceforth are called Kings of Judah, as those of Jeroboam, Kings of Israel; and yet this di∣stinction is not alwaies observed, Jehosaphat being called King of Israel, and also Ahaz; though we know they were both Kings of Judah; of that divi∣sion onely.

2. Rehoboam purposed to make War upon the Tribes, but, admonished by God, gave over the enterprize of invading them with 180000 Men; although there was continuall War betwixt the two Kings all their dayes. The Priests and Levites that were driven into Judah, reteined it in the true religion three years; but when Rehoboam had established himself, he forsook the Law of the Lord, and all Israel with him, committing sins above all that their Fathers had done. They built them high-places, images, and groves on every high hill, and under every green tree: there were Sodomites in the Land, and they did according to the abhomination of those Nations, which the Lord cast out be∣fore the Children of Israel. Because of this, the fifth year of his reign, Shishak King of Aegypt (perhaps invited by Jeroboam, who had lived with him in exile) came up against him with 1200 Chariots, 60000 Horse-men, and innumerous people, out of Aegypt: the Lubims, Sukkiims and Aethi∣opians, with which he took garrisons in Judah, and pierced as far as Jerusa∣lem. Rehoboam, and his Princes humbling themselves at the preaching of Shemaiah, thereby obtained deliverance: which yet, was to be bought at an high rate. For Shishak took away the treasures of the house of the Lord, and the Kings house, with all the golden shields which Solomon had made, in the room of which Rehoboam put others of brasse. He died after he had reigned seventeen years.

3. Abiah his Son succeeded him, whose Mother is in one place(a) named Maachah the Daughter of Absalom, and in another(b) Micajah Daughter to Uriel of Gibeah. Some think she was the Daughter of Tamer, which might be married to this Uriel, and adopted by Absalom, who seemeth to have left no issue. He imitated the impiety of his Father; his heart not be∣ing perfect before the Lord his God, and yet God remembring the Cove∣nant made with David, brought him by a fatherly correction into order, and acknowledgement of his Soveraignty. He also warred with Jeroboam all his dayes, who coming up against him with 800000 Men, he joyned battell with him having but half so many, and yet trusting in God, obtained Victo∣ry, and killed 500000 Israelites, the greatest number we read to have fallen in one battel. He took from him Bethel, Jeskanah, and Ephraim, with their Towns; neither did Jeroboam recover his strength in his time. Abijah waxed mighty, married fourteen Wives, begat two and twenty Sons and fifteen Daughters. Yet he reigned but three years.

4. Asa his Son succeeded him in the 20th year of Jeroboam ending, and did that which was righteous in the sight of the Lord. He reformed what was amisse, commanding his Subjects to seek the God of their Fathers: in his

time the Land had rest ten years. In his 11^th year, according to Josephus, came Zerach the Aethiopian against him, with 1000000 Men, of Cashaeans (in∣habiting Arabia, where also Zerach his Aethiopia is onely to be found) and Labaeans, besides 300 Chariots. To those he opposed himself with 300000 of Judah, and 280000 of Benjamin; and, calling upon his God, obtained the Victory, which he prosecuted and got much bootie. Returnnig to Jeru∣salem, he was so wrought upon by the words of Azariah the Prophet, the Son of Oded, as together with his own Subjects and others, (that fell to him in abundance out of Israel) he sacrificed to, and made a Covenant with, God. Then proceeding in the reformation of his Kingdom, he removed Maaca his Grand-mother from her dignity, because she was the patronesse of Idola∣try. Baasa now who reigned in Israel, provoked with the revolt of his Sub∣jects, and jealous of the growing power of Asa, came up against him, and built Rama, in the 36^th year from the division, lest any should go in or out to him. Asa to divert him, hired Benhadad the King of Syria to invade Israel. This Ben-hadad was the Son of Tabrimmon, and Grand-son to Hez∣rin, or Rezin, the first King of Damascus, and from him the Sirname of Hadad descended upon his Posterity. He smote Jion, Dan, Bethmaach, all Civeroth, with the Land of Napthali, and constrained Baasa to leave off building Ramah. Asa then destroyed Ramah, and with the stones thereof built Seba and Mizpah; but was checked by God for not trusting in him, but putting his confidence in the King of Syria; and War for this was de∣nounced to be upon him all his dayes. Hereat he grew angry with the Seer that brought the message; and oppressed some of his people: and for this was punished with the Gout in his later dayes, for a remedy to which, he had re∣course to the Physitians, and not to God. So he died, in the 41 year of his reign.

5. Jehosaphat succeeded him, to a good Father a better Son. In his third year he sent the Levites throughout the Cities to teach the people, ha∣ving removed the Sodomites out of the Land. He married his Son Jehoram to Athaliah the Daughter of Ahab King of Israel, and in his 18^th year made him Vice-King. This affinity drew him down with Ahab to fight against Ramoth-Gilead, where Ahab received his death's wound, and he escaped narrowly with his life. For joyning himself with this wicked King, he was sorely chidden by Jehu the Prophet, the Son of Hanani; which so affected him, as he reformed his Subjects, travelling himself from Beersheba unto Mount Ephraim to accomplish it: he also constituted Judges, to whom he gave a pious and strict charge. After this the Moabites, Ammonites, and a great multitude of others invaded him; against which he first strove by Prayer to God, and thereby obtained Victory, his Enemies being so stricken with madnesse, that they fell upon, and slaughtered one another. After∣wards intending to send Ships for gold to Ophir; because he joyned with wic∣ked Ahaziah King of Israel, the Lord spoiled the works, and the Ships were broken at Esion-geber. Some think he made his Son Partner in the Kingdom it self, having formerly been but his Vicegerent, a year or two be∣fore he died. He reigned 25 years, or rather 24, with some odd months.

6. To Jehosaphat succeeded Joram being 32 years old, to the best Father the worst Son, who being established in his Seat, made away all his Brethren, and some of the Princes. In his dayes the Edomites, or Idumaeans, who hitherto, from the time of David, had been in subjection to the Kings of Judah, revolted. They had heretofore been governed by a Vice-Roy, chosen either out of themselves or the Jews; but now they made themselves a King; the Prophecie of Isaac, the common Progenitor of both Nations, being now fulfilled, that though Esau should serve his younger Brother Jacob, yet the time should come, when he should break the yoak from off his neck. At the same time Libnah (a City of the Priest's in the Tribe of Judah) re∣volted, because he had forsaken the God of his Fathers; for having married Ahab's Daughter, he followed the example of his house, making high-places in the Mountains of Iudah, and causing his Sujects to commit Idolatry

therein. Because of this, there came a Writing to him from the Prophet Eli∣jah, rebuking him for his sin, and foretelling his punishment. Elijah being before this taken up to Heaven, the Jews have believed that this Letter was sent down thence. Some think, there was another Prophet of this name; but most are inclined to believe, that foreseeing, before his assumption, the Idola∣try of this man, he left this Letter with his Schollers to be delivered to him in due time. According to the threatnings therein contained, God first stir∣red up against him the Philistins and Arabians, who making an invasion took away all his goods, his wives, and sons, except Jehoahaz the youngest, other∣wise called Ahaziah and Azariah. Afterwards God struck him with an incurable disease in his bowels, which after two years came out of his body; so that he miserably died, having reigned eight years; three whereof are to be reckoned in conjunction with his father. He was buried without honour at Jerusalem, not in the Sepulcher of Kings; not desired, missed, nor la∣mented.

7. Ahaziah his son succeeded him who followed the steps of his Grand-father, Ahab's wicked family, and became a Patron of Idolaters. But ha∣ving scarce reigned one year, he went down to Jezreel to visite his Uncle Joram, King of Israel, where they were both killed by Jehu; Joram being slain outright, and Ahaziah dying shortly after of his wound, at Megiddo. Athaliah his mother seized upon the Kingdom, wherein to establish her self, she destroyed all the Royal seed. Onely Jehosheba the daughter of Jo∣ram, and wife to Jehojada the High-Priest, withdrew Joash an infant, her brother's son, and hid him six years in the house of God. At the end of these years, Jehojada brought him out to the people, then seven years old, and an∣ointing him King, slew Athaliah, restored the worship of God, and de∣stroyed the house of Baal, whose Priest Matthan he slew before the Al∣tar.

8. Joas then succeeded his father after six years, who did what was good and just as long as Jehojada the Priest lived, and through his advice took care to repair the Temple, which now had stood 155 years. But Jehojada being dead (who lived 130 years; the Jews observing that he, the repairer of the Temple, was born the same year, that the builder thereof died) Idolatry brake out afresh through his connivance. The Prophets exclaimed against it in vain, especially Zacharias, the son and successor of Jehojada, against whom Joas was so far transported beyond the bound's of piety, & gratitude to his fa∣ther's memory, that he commanded him to be stoned, and that in the Court of the house of the Lord. Whil'st as he died, he said, The Lord look upon it and requite it. So he did; for after a years time, the forces of Hazael, King of Syria, though but small, invaded Judah, destroyed all the Princes of the people, and sent the spoyl to their King. Joas himself they left very sick of great diseases, but when they were departed from him, his own servants conspired against him for the bloud of the sons of Jehojada the Priest, and slew him on his bed, in the 40th year of his reign. A. M. 3160.

9. Amaziah his son succeeded him, who also seemeth to have reigned with him the three last years; seeing he is said to have begun his reign in the second year of Joas, King of Israel. When he was confirmed in his seat, he put those to death that slew his father, sparing their Children according to the Law of Moses. In his 12th year, he undertook an expedition against the Edomites with 300000 of his own Subjects, and 100000 Israelites, which he hired for 100 Talents of silver. But as he was about to begin his march a Prophet dehorted him from joyning to himself the Idolatrous Israelites, so that he dismissed them, and they returned home in great discontent. He pros∣pered against the Idumaeans, but the Souldiers (dismissed) fell upon his Cities, and smiting 300 of them, took much spoyl. Yet he at his return, to amend the matter, having brought home the gods of the Edomites, set them up to be his gods, bowed down before them, and burnt incense to them. The Lord being sore angry for this, sent first a Prophet to him whom he rejected. But burning with a desire to be revenged upon the Israelites he sent and defied

Joas their King, who admonished him to be well advised, but this being in vain, they met, and joyned battel, wherein Amaziah was taken, and led back to Jerusalem; the Wall of which Citie, Joas demolished 400 Cubits, and plundering the house of the Lord with the Kings house then departed. Fifteen years after, Amaziah lived; but then, having turned away from fol∣lowing the Lord, a conspiracy was made against him in Ierusalem; whence he fled to Lachish, and there was slain by the pursuers, after he had reigned 29 years.

10. He left a son named Uzziah and Azariah, who succeeded him; but being said to have begun his reign in the 27th year of Ieroboam, King of Is∣rael, an Inter-regnum of twelve years must needs have passed betwixt his father's death and his beginning; the Kingdom all this time having, perhaps, been governed by a Lieutenant, or the High-Priest. When he came to the Age of 16. all the people of Iudah took him, and made him King in the room of his father, and under him the State of Iudah much flourished. He fought prosperously against the Philistins and Arabians that dwelt in Gur-Baal, and Mehunims, or Minaeans, dwelling in Arabia the Happie upon the Red-Sea: the Ammonites sought to him with presents, and his name was great in those parts. About his 35th year was celebrated in Greece the first Olympiad, that great help to our understanding in the distinction of times. He invaded the Priests Office in Offering Sacrifice, and for that was strucken with Le∣prosie, which continued upon him till his death, living in an house by him∣self, and Iotham his son ordering the affairs of the Kingdom. He reigned 52 years.

11. Iotham his son succeeded him, who prevailed against the Ammonites, and forced them to pay Tribute two years. He became mighty, because he prepared his wayes before the Lord his God; he built the High-Gate of the Temple much on the Wall of Ophal; Moreover, Cities in the Mountains of Iudah, and in the Forrests thereof Castles and Towers. Under him, his Pre∣decessor, and his two Successors, prophesied Isaiah and Hosea: Micah began in his time; and Nahum also, according to Iosephus, prophesied the destru∣ction of Niniveh, which was fulfilled 115 years after; though others think the beginning of these years should rather be placed in the time of his son. He reigned sixteen years, and was succeeded by Ahaz his son, whose reign if it be compared with that of Pechah and Hosea, Kings of Israel, it will appear that he reigned seven, or eight years with his father. He did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord, walking in the wayes of the Kings of Israel: he made molten Images for Baalam, burnt Incense in the Valley of the son of Hinnom, burnt his Children in the fire, Sacrificed and burnt Incense in the high places, on the Hills, and under every green Tree. Because of this, God stirred up Pekah, King of Israel, and Rezin the son of Remaliah, King of Syria against him, who invaded his Kingdom, and did much hurt: Rezin got Elath, which Uzzias had recovered and built; the King of Israel gave him a grievous overthrow; the Edomites also afflicted him and the Philistins, whom Uzziah had brought under, made inroads upon him. Suspecting his Estate because of these things, he sent to Tiglath-Pileser, King of Assyria for help, presenting him with the Silver and Gold, which was found in the Temple.

12. Tiglath-Pileser accordingly came up, and taking Damascus, killed Rezin, in whom fell this Kingdom: which having continued ten Generations, and begun in a Rezin, ended in one of that name. Then turned he his Forces upon Pekah, transporting into Assyria the Inhabitants of Gilead and Naph∣thali, as formerly he had done those of Damascus. But Achaz, to procure those things, having made himself his Vassal, was yet never the better, re∣mained in great fear of him, and still continued in his wickednesse. He made his son Hezekiah for his three last years partner with him in the Kingdom, and at the end thereof died, having reigned together with his father, and by him∣self, 16 years. Hezekiah succeeding, opened the Temple which his father had shut, and reformed the abuses in Religion. He brake in pieces the brazen

Serpent, because the Superstitious multitude fancying some Divine vertue therein, gave it suitable Worship. He shook off the yoak of the King of As∣syria, refusing to pay Tribute; for which cause in his fourteenth year, Senache∣rib, being to make War upon Egypt, led part of his Forces into Judaea. Be∣sieging Lachish, Hezekiah bargained with him to depart; but he brake his promise, and sent Rabshakes with others to Jerusalem, who blaspheming God, and reproaching the King, laboured to draw the people from their obe∣dience, This being to no purpose, Rabshakes returned to him, who had now departed from Lachish, and besieged Libnah, a strong Citie of Judah; re∣moving still nearer Jerusalem, that he might seem to pursue what he had gi∣ven in charge to Rabshakes to denounce against Hezekiah.

13. But lying before Libnah, news came that Tirhakah, King of Aethio∣pia (who, as it seemeth, had entred into conspiracy with the Egyptian against him) was moving towards him; at which he was so terrified, that he brake up his siege, and departed homewards. Yet having a greedy mind towards Judaea, he sent a blasphemous Letter full of threats to Hezekiah; but he lost in one night by the stroak of an Angel 180000 men (as some think being on his way towards Jerusalem) and confounded hereat, returned to Niniveh, where he was slain by his two sons, Adramelech and Sharezer, as he was worship∣ping in the house of Misroch his God. In the time of these dangers, Heze∣kiah fell sick unto death, the sentence of which he received from Isaiah the Prophet. But by his prayers and tears he obtained a prolongation of life for fifteen years, and, in confirmation of the promise, the shadow of the degrees which was gone down in the Sun-dyal of Ahaz was brought ten degrees back∣ward; and it followeth, So the Sun returned ten degrees, by which degrees it was gone down. As for this Sun-dyal it's thought that in those ancient times the knowledge of Dyals was scarce amongst the Hebrews. Yet is it possi∣ble that Achaz might have something of that nature, though imperfect, from the Babylonians, who were of old much given to Astrology, he being other∣wise too curious an admirer of forrein things as appeareth, in that he must needs have such an Altar made, and erected at Ierusalem as he had seen at Damascus. That the Sun went back, hath been generally believed: but one of late hath gone about to prove that the shadow was lyable to reduction, without retrocession of the great Luminary.

14. The knowledge of this miracle coming to the Babylonians (who by reason of their continual observation of the Heavenly bodies might have more occasion to take notice of it) Merodach-Baladan their King sent to Heze∣kiah to congratulate his recovery, desirous, it's likely, of his friendship whom he had understood to be so much in the favour of God; especially bearing no goodwill to the Assyrians. He in a vain ostentation of his Wealth shew'd the Ambassadours all his Treasures, and whatsoever was in his house; for which, Isaiah the Prophet denounced the carrying away of all these things to Baby∣lon. For the pride of his heart there was wrath upon him and Iudah; yet he humbled himself, both he and the inhabitants of Iudah, so that the wrath of the Lord came not upon them in his dayes. He flourished in abundance of riches and honour, stopped the upper water-course of Gihon, and brought it streight down to the West-side of the Citie of David. He reigned 29 years (3 whereof were together with his father:) being dead, they buried him in the chiefest Sepulchers of the sons of David, and all Iudah, with the Inhabitants of Ierusalem, did him honour at his death.

15. Manasses his son succeeded him at the Age of twelve years, and there∣fore was begotten by him after his recovery. He did evil in the sight of the Lord above those Nations, which the Lord had cast out before Israel, being more Idolatrous then any of his Predecessors; he was also given to Witch∣craft and Divinations, built Altars for all the Host of heaven, which he ser∣ved in the two Courts of the house of the Lord, wherein he also set up an Image of the Grove which he had made. He filled Ierusalem with innocent bloud; amongst other Martyrs Isaiah the Prophet (as it's said) being sawn asunder with a wooden saw, because he was free with him in reproving his

ungodly life; although he was of the bloud royal as the son of Amos, the bro∣ther of King Amaziah, according to the tradition of the Jews, who also have related him to have been father-in-law, nay (as some) Grand-father by the Mothers side, to Manasses himself. In such wickednesse continued he for several years, till such time as God sent upon him the Captains of the King of Assyria (Esarchaddon some think) who took him lying hid amongst the thorns, and carried him bound with fetters unto Babylon, which City (as it appeareth from this place) was now again under the King of Assyria. Here having leisure and occasion to bethink himself, in his affliction he repented▪ was humbled greatly, and besought the Lord, who heard his Prayer, and re∣stored him to his Kingdom. After this, he knew that the Lord was God; and purged his Realm of Idolatry; which Reformation the Jews make to have been in the 33^th year before his death. He reigned 55 years.

16. Amon his Son succeeded him in his Kingdom, and Idolatry, but not in his Repentance, worshipping and sacrificing to all the carved Images which his Father had made, and going on to trespasse more and more. After two years, his servants conspired against him and slew him in his own house, all whom the people of the Land put to death, and made Iosiah his Son (a child of eight years old) King in his stead. He in the eighth year of his reign began to seek after the God of his Fathers, and in his twelfth to cleanse his King∣dom, and all the Land of Israel, from Idolatry: although the greatest part of the later, was now subject to the King of Assyria. In the 18^th year of his reign and of his age the 26^th, he commanded the Temple to be repaired, and the Worship of God therein restored: where also finding a Book of the Law, he renewed the Covenant between God and the people, and celebrated such a solemn Passeover, as had not been kept in Israel since the time of the Judges. Now if the time of the Judges, and the Oppressions, be not con∣founded, but taken at their full length; then this year being the 9••0^th end∣ing, or the 931^th beginning, from the entering into Canaan, was the 7^th of the 133 week, or the last of the 19^th Jubilie. Iosiah in his 31^th year ending, disguised himself that he might fight with Necho King of Aegypt (who was going up against the Assyrian) and would not hearken to his words from the mouth of God, labouring with him to refuse fighting against the Lord, who had sent him, and commanded him to make haste. Therefore joyning battell with him in the Valley of Megiddo, he was sore wounded, and being carried to Ierusalem, died there; all Iudah and Ierusalem, mourning and making great lamentation for him.

17. Whilst Pharaoh was busie in his affairs against the Assyrians, the peo∣ple made Jehoahaz the younger Son of Josias, King; who continued but three moneths in the dignity. For Pharaoh having finished his work at Euphrates, and in Coelesyria, came to Jerusalem, whence he led away into Aegypt this young King, and left his elder Brother Eliakim in his place, whose name he changed into Jehoiakim, imposing a taxe of a hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold upon the Land. Though Jeoahaz be said to have reigned three moneths, yet some will have a year to have passed betwixt the 31 year of Josias, and the first of Jehoiakim; partly for that Josias seemeth to have reigned something more than 31 years, and some space would be ta∣ken up in so solemn a mourning for him, before the instalment of Jehoahaz; and also to consult about this thing, seeing it was against right and custom to give this honour to the younger Brother: lastly some time (perhaps some moneths) was requisite for setling the affairs of Judaea, about the instalment of Jehoiakim, and the tribute. Ludovicus Cappellus moreover, giveth a whole year to Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim (though the Scripture speaketh but of three moneths a piece) that the last year of Zedekiah might fall into the 390^th year from the rent of the Kingdom; of which more, when we arrive at that time.

18. Jehoiakim thus advanced by Pharaoh Necho, was 25 years old when he began to reign; which if so, he was born in the fifteenth year of his Fa∣ther's age; as, if Jehoahaz was 23 when he began his reign, he must also

have been born in the sixteenth of Josiah. This maketh Josiah to have ap∣plied himself to procreation of children at least in the fourteenth year of his life; which seeming too early, and not agreeable to the Piety of that Prince, there are that suspect for 25, ought to be read 15, and 13 for 23; so that the one might be born in the 24 and the other in the 25 year of his Father: But thereis no necessity for such a reading of the Text. The fourth year of Jehoiakim fell in with the first of Nebuchadnezar King of Babylon, and was the 23^th from the 13^th of the reign of Josias, wherein Jeremiah the Prophet first be∣gan to prophesy; and hence it also appeareth, that Iosias reigned at least full 31 years, and that one passed between his death and the beginning of Iehoia∣kim, else 23 onely had passed betwixt the 13^th of the one, and the 4^th of the other. In this year Pharaoh Necho fell upon the Babylonians with War, because, as it seemeth, they had sollicited Iehoiakim his Tributary to revolt, and fought against Nebuchadnezar at Carchemish near Euphrates, (by the Greek and Latin Writers called Cercusium); in which battell he was over∣thrown and slain.

19. After this Victory, came Nebuchadnezar to Ierusalem, where he either took Iehoiakim captive to lead him to Babylon, or at least made him his tributary Vassall. Some account this year, as the beginning of the reign of Nebuchadnezar, so of the Captivity of Iudah, and the desolation of that Country, because that Ieremiah, having spoken first of the 13 years, in which he and the other Prophets had warned the people to no purpose, after∣wards addeth, that God would send Nebuchadnezar his Servant against the Land, which should be a desolation and an astonishment, and that these Na∣tions should serve the King of Babylon 70 years. But the Prophecy of Daniel beginneth thus: In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim King of Judah, came Nebuchadnezar King of Babylon to Jerusalem, and besieged it: and the Lord gave Jehoiakim King of Judah into his hand, with part of the Ves∣sels of the House of God, which he caried into the Land of Shinar, to the house of his God. This place seeming to contradict the other; some have cho∣sen to close with the literall sense of it, and to hold, that in the third year of Iehoiakim, began the Captivity of the Jews. Others see more reason to stick to the other place, and, to take away all difference, interpret this third year of the third of the Sabbaticall year, or the week of years, and thus would read it, In the third year, Jehoiakim the King of Judah reigning, came Nebuchadnezar King of Babylon unto Jerusalem, &c. But the Jews with some modern Writers understand by this third year, the third of the rebellion of Jehoiakim, against whom Nebuchadnezar coming, about the end of the fifth year of his reign, made him his Tributary, and so he continued three years; viz. the 6, 7, and 8^th of his reign. Afterwards, changing his mind, he rebelled in the beginning of his 9^th year, and so continued for three years in rebellion, which being expired, in the end of his 11^th, Nebuchadnezar took Ierusalem, and caried him Captive to Babylon, with part of the holy Vessels, and others of the Royall and Princely Race, amongst whom was Daniel; and so the Captivity of Seventy years began not till this year.

20. That this third year cannot be understood of the third of Iehoiakim's reign, is clear from Ieremiah, who joyneth his fourth with the first of Nebuchad∣nezar; and because elsewhere is made mention of his fifth: whence is ap∣rarent, that he could not be led Captive in his third year. The second opi∣nion indeed is not amisse; for this was really the third year of the week or the third from the Sabbaticall year. For, the 18^th of Iosiah, in which the Passeover was celebrated, being the last year of the 19^th Jubilie, and so the Sabbaticall year; from that to the 11^th ending of Iehoiakim, or the 12^th be∣ginning, are counted 31 years: viz. four weeks and three odd years; this being usuall with the Pen-men of holy Story, to count their times by Sabba∣ticall years or Jubilies. Iacobus Cappellus would have Nebuchadnezar, at the command of Nabopolasser his Father, to have come into Iudaea in the second year of the reign of Iehoiakim, who then sware fealty to him; but in the third year rebelled: whence Nebuchadnezar came down again in his fifth

year, and took him Captive. Then will he have him to have set Shallum over the Kingdom, till Ieconias his Son, an Infant of a year old, should come to age; but Iehoiakim himself there lived miserably in Captivity, till the 11^th year, reckoned from his first being made King by Necho. He being then dead, and news of it brought to Ierusalem, they there made his Son Iehoiakim King in his stead. And he beginneth the Seventy years of the Captivity in his fifth year, when he will have him caried to Babylon.

21. But Ludovicus Cappellus his Brother replyeth, that in no place is there any mention made of Nebuchadnezar's coming up against him in the second year of his reign, the place thought to make for the purpose, ha∣ving as much respect to the fifth as the second year. And as little mention is there any where made of Iehoiakim's six years of Captivity, who if he had died at Babylon, the Scripture would never have attributed to him the reign of eleven years, but onely so many as he really reigned, viz. 5. The rest, it would either have given to Shallum the pretended Viceroy, or to Iehoiakim his Son; it being a thing improbable, that the name should be preserved for Ie∣hoiakim, whilst Sallum indeed reigned: Besides, the Babylonian King ob∣served no such matter afterward in Iehoiakim, whom taking away he really made King Zedekiah, without the title of Vice-Roy or Lievtenant. Nay, though Jehoiakim lived long at Babylon, and, after the death of Nebuchad∣nezar, being loosed out of bonds, was honoured and esteemed by Evilmero∣dach above any of his condition (and therein excelled Jehoiakim, if he lived there so long); yet is there no more time given to his reign, than that wherein he onely continued in his principality. As for the Regencie of Shallum, it is a meer invention, there being no other according to the Jews, then Jehoa∣haz, who was also called by that name. For in the place thought to make this out, they are bidden not to weep for the dead (viz. Iosias) but for him that goeth away (Iehoahaz taken away by Necho) for he should return no more into his Native Country.

22. Iehoiakim therefore being taken to be led away Captive, in the third year of his rebellion and the 11th of his reign, died ere he went (as we may suppose) and was cast out or buried, according to the Prophecy of Ieremiah, who had foretold he should be buried with the buriall of an Asse; being cast forth beyond the gates of Ierusalem, in the day to the heat, and in the night to the frost, which could be done by none, except the barbarous Babylonians. After his death, the Conquerour placed in his stead Jehoiakim his Son, cal∣led also Conias and Jechonias, who did evil in the sight of the Lord, as his Father before him, and Nebuchadnezar, it semeeth repenting of what he had done, lest he should be drawn from his obedience, by the example of his Fa∣ther, and the perswasions of those about him, sent his Army before him, (about a year after his former expedition) to besiege Jerusalem. When he himself came to the Siege, Jehoiachim came out to him with his Mother and Servants, and yielded his person in the eighth year of Nebuchadnezar ending. Then the Babylonian entring Jerusalem, took away the Treasures found in the house of the Lord, and the Kings house, brake all the golden instruments which Solomon had made for the Temple, and so caried Iehoiakim with his Mother, Wives, and Servants unto Babylon. Besides those, he transported all the best sort of the people from Ierusalem, with the ablest and strongest for War from other places, in which number was(e) Ezekiel the Priest, the Son of Ruzi▪ Iehoiakim in(f) one place is said to have been eighteen years old, when he began to reign, but in another(g) onely eight. A fault must needs be in the reading of one place of the two, which may best be laid upon the former. For if Iehoiakim his Father was 15 years old when he began to reign, (as some will have it) then was he born to him in the 18^th year of his age, be∣ing otherwise (according to this tenent) absurdly made to have been begot in his 7 or 8^th year.

23. Nebuchadnezar made King over the Jews that remained, Mattaniah the Son of Iosiah, from whom he received an oath of homage, and thereupon changed his name into Zedekiah. He trode in the steps of his Brothers and

Nephews, the people also being with him incorrigible. He rebelled against Nebuchadnezar, taking part with the King of Egypt, who maintained a quar∣rel with him, & therefore the Babylonian came up in the 9th year after his e∣stablishment, took all the Cities of Iudaea, except Ierusalem, Lachish, and A∣z••ka, which he also besieged. The year following Pharaoh came with an Ar∣my to his assistance, which Nebuchadnezar understanding went to meet him, and he thereupon afraid to ingage, retreated into his own Land. Nebuchad∣nezar then returning sate down again before Ierusalem, wherein famine at length prevailing, and Zedekiah still refusing to yield, though Ieremiah con∣stantly advised him to do it, in the end of his 11th year, and the first day of the moneth it was broken into, by the Caldaeans. Zedekiah flying, was over∣taken, and brought to Riblah: where he first saw his Children and Friends slain; and then, having his eyes put out, was carried to Babylon, where he miserably ended his dayes.

24. On the seventh day of the fifth moneth, in the 19^th year of Nebu∣chadnezar came Nebuzaradan, Captain of his Guard, and, having got all things ready in two dayes, set the King's House, with the Temple, and the rest of the buildings in the Citie on fire. The same moneth all the Walls were demolished; they that remained in the Citie, with those which before had revolted, and the rest of the people, together with the Treasures of the King and Princes, and the Utensils of the house of the Lord, did Nabuza∣radan carry to Babylon. So went Iudah into Captivity in the 12th year af∣ter the death of Iehojakim, 390 after the death of Salomon and the Rent of the Kingdom (which the Prophet Ezekiel was commanded to represent by sleeping so many nights upon his left side, the iniquity of the Children of Israel having from that time abounded) to which the two years being added wherein the Captivity was compleated at the death of Gedaliah, and eight Jubilies are therein contained; 490 from the beginning of Saul; so that the Kingdom of Iudah continued 10 Jubilies, or 70 weeks of years, so many as are given by Daniel to the Commenwealth of the Iews, from its restitution to the Messiah: From the building of the Temple 420. which therefore stood eight Jubilies, with four weeks, or in all sixty weeks of years; from the entrance into Canaan 967. as Ludovicus Cappellus reckoneth, containing 138 weeks; from the departure out of Egypt 1007. during which time Sa∣tan was as it were bound, and Gods people were free: Lastly, from the be∣ginning of the World 3515. which make 502 weeks, and 71 Jubilies with five weeks of years. The concurrence of all these Accounts do mightily con∣firm the Discoverer in his opinion of their realitie.

25. Jeremiah the Prophet had leave, either to go to Babylon, there to live honourably, or to stay with the small remnant that were left in the Land. The later of those he accepted, and went to Gedaliah, who being ap∣pointed Governour kindly imbraced him, and gave encouragement to all the Jews left under his charge, promising them favour and liberty, so long as they remained obedient Subjects to the King of Babylon: But ere the year went about, one Ismael, a Prince of the bloud, who during the War had kept himself out of the way with Baalis King of the Ammonites, slew Goda∣liah whil'st he lovingly feasted him at Maspha, with others, both Jews and Caldaeans in his Company. The residue then of the Jews being without a Governour, and fearing the revenge of their Lords and Masters, were minded to fly into Egypt, and caused the Prophet to inquire of the Lord for them. Jeremiah answered, that if they would remain in Judaea, God would merci∣fully provide for them; but if they offered to save themselves in Egypt, they should undoubtedly perish. They, notwithstanding this warning, went down and constrained him, with Barach, to accompany them, where, by the leave of Pharoh, they inhabited near Tahpanes. Here the Prophet often repre∣hending them for their Idolatry, and foretelling both their destruction, and the ruin of those that harboured them, was by their wretched and ingratefull hands stoned to death; but is said to have been exceedingly honoured by the Egyptians, so that Alexander the Great translated his bones into Alex∣andria.

In the 23th year of Nebuchadnesar (who then besieged Tyre) Ne∣buzaradan, Captain of his Guard carried away the reliques of the Jews and Israelites, to the number of 745. which was the last deportation. And the Prophecies both of(h) Jeremiah and(i) Ezekiel confirm us in this belief, that the Jews in Egypt, after Nebuchadnesar had subdued that Countrey, were partly slain, and partly carried away Captive to their own Countrey∣men with the Natives, being nothing reformed by the forme•• punishments inflicted either upon themselves, or their Nation.

SECT. IV. The Kingdom of Israel From the revolt of the Tribes, to their final Captivity under Salmanasser.

1. THe ten Tribes, falling off from Rehoboam upon his Churlish answer, chose Jeroboam the son of Nebat, of the Tribe of Ephraim to reign over them. He, being industrious in the work of Fortifications, had been made by Salomon Ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph; but the Lord, after he was provoked by the Idolatry of Salomon, sent Ahijah the Prophet to him to promise him ten Tribes; which coming to the ears of the King he sought to slay him; whereupon Jeroboam fled for his life to Shishak, King of Egypt, with whom he sojourned till Salomon's death. Then he was sent for out of Egypt, and accompanied all Israel as their Speaker in their addresse made to Rehoboam; whom after they had rejected, they made him King, that the Lord might perform what he had promised by the Prophet.

2. In the beginning of his reign he built up Shechem, which had lyen waste well nigh 260 years, from the time that Abimelech destroyed it. This place being situated in Mount Ephraim he first made his habitation, till he went over Jordan, and built Penuel, whence afterwards he also removed his seat to Tirza. He forsook the Lord, who promised him establishment, if he would keep his Statutes and Commandments, going about by carnal and wicked policy to secure his interest. For, lest his Subjects by going up to Ie∣rusalem to Worship, should be turned again from their obedience to him, he set up two Golden Calves, the one at Dan, and the other at Bethel, ha∣ving learnt Idolatry towards this sort of Cattel in Egypt. To that in Bethel he sacrificed, instituting a Feast like to that of Tabernacles: and though, re∣buked by a Prophet, he was stricken with Leprosie, and might have been con∣vinced by other Miracles; yet neither these things nor the many judgements of God against him, and his Successors, could reclaim either him, or them. Rejecting the Priests of the sons of Aaron, and the Levites, he made of the lowest of the people Priests for the high places: He had War with Rehoboam continually, and with Abiah his son, who overthrew him in a great battel, and slew 500000 of his men, although he added a stratagem to the force of his numbers (which doubled those of his Enemy) compassing-in Abiah's Army whil'st he was speaking to it. Some years after, he died, having reigned 22. Nadab his son succeeding him, walked in the wayes of his father, & in his sin wherewith he made Israel to sin; but in his second year, he and all Israel besieging Gibbethon of the Philistins, Baasa the son of Ahijah, of the house of Issachar conspired against him, and slew him there.

3. Nadab is said to have began his reign in the second year of Asa, and to have reigned two years: yet Baasa to have began to reign in the third year of Asa. To this, either must be said, that Ieroboam made his son King whil'st he himself yet lived, or else not reigning 22 years compleat, but some part onely of the 22th year (so that the far greater part of the first year of Nadab must fall in with the greater part of the second of Asa) neither did Nadab reign two whole years, but one with a piece of another, and so the first year of Baasa will fall in with the greater part of the third of Asa.

For in this comparing of the times of the Kings of Judah and Israel, is to be taken notice; That, 1. A year onely begun is taken for a compleat one. 2. The fathers often yet living communicated the royal dignity to their sons. 3. Some were twice inaugurated, as Joram in the Tribe of Judah, and H••shea in that of Ephraim. 4. That there were many vacancies, especially in the Kingdom of Israel. Baasa cut off all the posterity of Jeroboam, not leaving one to pisse against the Wall, according as Ahijah had foretold; so that here Jeroboam's policy failed him, the Golden Calves having pushed down his family. When Baasa saw that Asa had restored Religion, and for that cause many of his subjects revolted to him, he had War with him all his dayes, and in his fourteenth year built Ramah to restrain fugitives. Asa to divert him hired Benhadad, King of Syria, who breaking the league for∣merly made with Israel came up with his forces, and smote Jion (a Citie of the Tribe of As••er) Dan of the Danites, Abel-hethmaach of the Manassites, and all Cinneroth with the Land of Napthali; which forced Baasa to leave off building Ramah, and return to Tirza. He reigned 24 years, viz. 23 with part of another.

4. Elah his son succeeded him in the 26th year of Asa, and reigned two years; at the end whereof his servant Zimri, Captain of one half of his Chariots, slew him at Tirzah as he was drinking in the house of Arza his Steward, and the Prophesie of Jehu, the son of Haneni was fulfilled against the house of Baasa, that it should be made like to that of Jeroboam; all of it being destroyed in like manner by Zimri. But Zimri himself reigned onely seven dayes; for the people then besieging Gibbethon, and understanding how things had passed at Tirzah, made Omri the General of the Army, King. He presently led them against Tirzah, and took it; Whereupon Zimri with∣drew himself into the Pallace, and setting it on fire perished therein, because he also walked in the steps of Jeroboam. A Schism now followed, for one half of the people chose Tibni, the son of Gineth, and four years (imperfect) as the Jews have it: this division continued, till at length Tibni dying, Omri reigned alone. He is also said to have began his reign in the 31th year of Asa, which must be understood of his reigning alone, having slain Zimri in the 28^th year (beginning) of that King. After he had reigned six years at Tirzah, he translated the seat of the Kingdom to Samaria, which Citie he had built on an Hill, bought of one Shemer, from whom it took the name. Having done worse then any that were before him, he died after he had reigned twelve years. Which if they be accounted from the death of Zimri, and so contain his whole reign, then reigned Ahab his son, and Successor but two years with him, his 11^th year falling into the 38 of Asa; but if they be reckoned from the death of Tibni, then must Ahab have reigned about five years together with him.

5. Ahab exceeded in wickednesse all his predecessors, not onely living in the sins of Jeroboam, but marrying Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal, King of Sidon, whose God Baal he served and worshipped. For this, through the prayer of the Prophet Elijah, it rained not upon the Land for three years; but at the end thereof he prayed again, and the Heavens gave rain. He took occasion to shew the vanity of the Idoll Baal, and then slew his Priests; for which being threatned by Jezebel, he fled into the desart to Mount Horeb. Against Ahab came up twice Benhadad, King of Syria; once with 32 petty Kings, and both times with great forces, but still was overthrown, and at the latter time yielded himself. Ahab honourably received him, and, making a league with him, let him go in safety; for which he was sharply rebuked by a Prophet, and told that his life should go for the life of Benhadad, and his own people for his people; but there followed a peace betwixt Israel and Syria for three years. In this space Ahab fell sick for Naboth's Vineyard, who being by Jezebels procurement accused of blasphemy, was stoned to death, and so Ahab injoyed the Vineyard by way of confiscation. For this so wicked a fact severe judgement was pronounced against him and Jezebel, by Elijah; the execution whereof by a temporary repentance they caused to be

be prorogued. But the three years of the peace being expired, he renewed the War with Syria; for that Benhadad having ingaged to restore such Cities, as he had taken, refused to surrender Ramoth-Gilead. Four hundred false Prophets perswaded him to undertake the Expedition; onely Micajah sent from God disswaded him from it. With him joyned Iehosaphat King of Iudah, whose Son Iehoram had maried Athaliah his daughter. But going down both together, Ahab received a wound by an arrow, and thereof died, that day, in the 22^th year of his reign.

6. Ahaziah his Son succeeded him, whom he had formerly made his As∣sociate in the Kingdom, and reigned 2 years in all; being said to have be∣gun his reign in the seventeenth year of Iehosaphat King of Iudah, because his Father then dyed, having reigned 21 years, and some part of another. After Ahab's death, Moab fell off from Israel, to which it had been subject ever since the dayes of David. Ahaziah falling sick, of a fall which he had through a lattise in his upper Chamber, sent to consult Baal-zebub the god of Ekron about his recovery; but the Lord commanded Elisah to meet the Messengers, and denounce death to him for this his sin. Hereat Ahaziah be∣ing angry, sent two Captains with their fifties, one after another, to fetch him to him; but he called for fire down from Heaven, which consumed them: then being intreated by the third, he went with him to the King, where de∣nouncing the same to his face, Ahaziah accordingly died, not long after. Him his Brother Ioram followed in the 18^th year of Iehosaphat King of Iudah ending, who wrought evil in the sight of the Lord, but not like his Father and Brother; for he put away the Image of Baal, erected by his Father, yet cleaved to the sin of Ieroboam the Son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, because of his carnall interest; all the Kings of Israel accounting it an espe∣ciall piece of policy, to busie the people in the worship of the golden Calves.

7. Joram made War upon the Moabites which had revolted, in conjuncti∣on with Jehosaphat King of Judah, and the King of Edom his Tributary, Elisha the Prophet miraculoussy providing the Armies of water, and pro∣mising them Victory. When the Sun arose and shone upon the Pits full of water, it appeared, to the Moabites, blood; so that they concluding their Ene∣mies to have fallen one upon another, came out to take the plunder of the field; but finding other entertainment, were repelled with great consternation and losse. The Israelites then falling upon the Countrey, made havock of all things, and besieged Mesha King of the Moabites, in Kir-hazereth, who being streightened, attempted with 700 Men to break through to the King of Edom, but could not; whereupon taking his Son, (his own some think, others the King of Edom's) which should have reigned in his stead, he offered him for a burnt-offering upon the wall. This specta∣cle seemed so horrible, as raised indignation against Israel, and such pity to∣wards the Man driven by extreme necessity, (as Josephus telleth it), that be∣ing mindfull of the mutability of humane affairs, they raised the Siege and departed.

8. Benhadad King of Syria made severall attempts upon Israel, and be∣sieging Samaria, reduced it unto extreme necessity by Famine. Him Hazael his Servant slew, and possessed himself of his Kingdom; but having received, together with it, the succession of the War, Jehoram went up against him, and was accompanied by Ahaziah King of Judah to Ramoth-Gilead. Here receiving a wound, he returned to Iezreel, to be cured; but the Army was left under severall Captains, amongst which was Jehu the Son of Jehosaphat; to whom Elisha sent one of the Sons of the Prophets, to annoint him King. He was presently received as such by the Army, and returning to Jezreel, slew Joram, (and gave Ahaziah his death's wound) after he had reigned twelve years. He caused Iesabel to be thrown down out of a window, where her carkeise was eaten by the Dogs; after which writing Letters to Samaria, he procured Seventy Sons of Ahab to be slain, and their heads sent to him. Then going thither, he slew 42 persons in his way, of the kindred of Ahaziah

King of Iudah, who were going to visite Iehoram and Iesabel: at Samaria he put to death all the Priests of Baal, and burnt the Temple with the Images. Yet took he no heed to walk in the Law of the Lord God of Israel, with all his heart, departing not from the sin of Ieroboam. For his executing of justice upon the house of Ahab, the Lord promised that his seed of the fourth generation should sit upon his Throne; Yet because of the rottennesse of his heart, he began to cut Israel short in his dayes, by the means of Hazael, who now subdued not onely the Gileadites, but also whatsoever the Israelites possessed beyond Iordan, raging with cruelty againg Man, Woman, and Child, as Elisha had foretold him. Iehu coming to the Kingdom at the same time as A••haliah began her usurpation in Iudab, reigned full 28 years, and then died.

9. Iehoahaz his Son succeeded him, in the 23^th year of Ioash the Son of Ahaziah King of Iudah, who did evil in the sight of the Lord, in the sin of Ieroboam; a grove being also in Samaria. Hazael mightily oppressed Israel also in his dayes, so that to him were left but 50 Horse-men, 10 Chariots, and 10000 Foot-men. Yet the Lord was intreated by him, and sent Israel a Deliverer; notwithstanding which, yet Prince and People remain∣ed incorrigible. After he had reigned seventeen years he died, and left his Kingdom to his Son Ioash, who also reigned with him about three years, for that he began his reign in the 37^th year of Ioash King of Iudah, and is held by the Jews to be that Deliverer, mentioned to have been sent by God. He overcame the Syrians thrice, as dying-Elisha foretold him (whom he visited, and consulted about the affairs of his Kingdom); and thereby recovered the Cities lost to Hazael by his Father. Upon the occasion formerly mentioned, he took Ierusalem, with Ahaziah the King of Iudah, and, breaking down the wall of the City 400 cubits, plundred the House of the Lord and the Kings house. He also was guilty of Ieroboam's sin, and died after he had reigned together with his Father, and by himself sixteen years.

10. His Son came after him, Ieroboam by name, whom God made instru∣mental to preserve Israel; nay to raise it to the highest top of greatnesse it arri∣ved at. For he recovered Damascus and Hamath, which had by right be∣longed to the Tribe of Iudah, with whatsoever the Syrians had taken from his Predecessors, from the antient border of the entrance of Hamath, to the Sea of the Plains, or the Lake Asphaltites, as Ionas the Prophet the Son of Amitthai had foretold, the same with him that prophecyed against Ninive, being of Gath-Hepher, a Town of the Tribe of(k) Zebulon, in(l) Galile of the Gentiles; out of which therefore arose a Prophet, though the learned Pharisees so earnestly urged the contrary to Nicodemus. In this King's dayes also prophecied Hosea, and Amos, called from the Herd in Iudaea, to prophecy to the people of Israel. Notwithstanding all that God did for Ie∣roboam, he did evil also in his sight, accompanying his Ancestors in the sin of Ieroboam the son of Nebat. He reigned 41 years, and after his death the affairs of his Kingdom fell to decay; way being made for the ruine of his house, and an Anarchie insuing for 24 years. For so it must be, if Zacharias his Son began not his reign till the 38^th of Uzziah King of Iudah, the last of Ieroboam falling in with the 14^th of this King, seeing Uzziah is said to have begun his reign in the 27^th of his, and he reigned 41 years. This may well seem strange in this Kingdom, where Princes were often made away by Usur∣pers; but God had promised Iehu, that his Children should reign to the fourth Generation; and this Zacharias might be a posthumus, or however very young, and therefore not admitted by the Nobility to govern, till he had attained to such ripenesse, as was convenient for so great a charge.

11. Zachariah, doing evil in the sight of the Lord, as did his Ancestors, reigned but six moneths, being then slain by Shallum the Son of Iabesh who reigned in his stead in the 39^th year of Azariah King of Iudah. He enjoyed his usurped royaltie but a short space, being after two moneths served so him∣self by Menahem the Son of Gadi, who also reigned in his stead. Menahem smote Tiphsah and all that were therein, with the Coasts thereof from

Tirzah, because they opened not to him; and ripped up the Women with child. He did evil in the sight of the Lord, not departing from the sin of Ieroboam all his dayes; wherefore God stirred up the Spirit of Pul King of Assyria, who invaded the Land; but he gave him 1000 talents of Silver, which he wrested from the richest of his Subjects, to confirm the Kingdom in his hand. After he had held it ten years he died, and his Son Pekahiah reigned in his stead, in the 50^th year of Azariah; so that Menahem having begun his reign in the 39^th of that King, and reigning but ten years, here seemeth an Inter-regnum of a year or more to have happened after his death, except that be admitted, which some think, viz. that Menahem did not peaceably enjoy the Kingdom till about a year after Shallum's death, purchasing it then of Pul; so that beginning his reign in the 39^th of Azariah, or Uzziah, must be understood peaceably, and in that year ending. Then must Pekahiah have begun his reign in the very beginning of the 50^th year, and so a few moneths being added to the ten years of Menahem, at the furthest, there will be no need of an Inter-regnum. Pekahiah treading in the wicked steps of his Praedecessors, reigned two years and then was slain by Pekah the Son of Remaliah, one of his Captains, who possessed himself of his Seat.

12. Pekah joyned with the King of Syria against Ahaz King of Judah, slew in Judah 120000 in one day, all valiant Men, because they had forsaken the Lord God of their Fathers. Zichri a mighty Man of Ephraim, slew Maaseiah the King's Son, Azrikam the Governour of the house, and Elkanah that was next the King. Two hundred thousand were also carried Captive, with much spoil, all which Oded the Prophet, when they came to Samaria, procured to be sent back. This made Ahab purchase the help of Tiglath-Pileser King of Assyria, who first destroying the King and King∣dom of Damascus, caried the inhabitants thereof into Captivity; and then came against Pekah and transported the Reubenites, Gadites, and the half Tribe of Manasses into Halah, Habor, Hara, and to the River Gozan: then crossing Jordan, he set upon Galilee and caried away the Inhabitants thereof with all the Napthalites (which remained of those that were left by Benhadad) into Assyria. Pekah doing evil in the sight of the Lord, after he had reigned twenty years, was slain by Hosea the Son of Elah who usurped the Kingdom.

13. Hoshea the 19^th King of Israel began his reign in the 12^th year of Ahaz King of Judah, who reigned seven or eight years with his Father Jotham, and began to reign by himself in the 17^th year of Pekah; so that Hosea may truly be said to have began his reign in the 20^th year from the inauguration of Jotham; which we must say except we allow of a kind of Inter-regnum for eight or nine years, during which time, Hoshea for the stirs that hapned could not peaceably enjoy the Kingdom; and then must we lenghthen out the time of this Kingdom longer by so many years. Hoshea did evil in the sight of the Lord, but not as the Kings of Israel which were before him. Against him came up Salmanasser King of Assyria, and made him his tributary Vassal, which he continued for some time, till weary of this bondage, he con∣spired with So King of Aegypt, and refused to pay his tribute: Here∣upon, Salmanasser subdued first the Moabites, lest he should have an Enemy at his back, then invaded Israel and besieged Samaria, in the fourth year of Hezekiah King of Judah, and the seventh of Hoshea. At the end of three years (in the sixth of Hezekiah, and the ninth of Hosea) he took the City, and carried the Israelites Captive into Assyria, where he placed them in Chalach, Chabor, by the River of Gosan, and in the Cities of Media, because they had not obeyed the voice of the Lord, but transgressed the Covenant. In their Seat he placed certain Persians that inhabited by the River Chuthus, and afterwards, in distinction from the Jews, were called Samaritans. This hapned to Israel, for their abhominable Idolatry, 255 years after the rent of the Kingdom; so that this Schism lasted five Jubilies and ten years; in the 832 after the entrance into Canaan, according to Ludovicus Cap∣pellus, and therefore in the end of the seventeenth Jubilie from that; in

the year of the World 3380. or 3381. and so in the end of the 69 Jubily from the Creation; 134 before the destruction of Jerusalem, and the Captivity of Iudah.

Notes

• Phaleg. Reu. Sarug. Nahor. Terah.
• Gen. 11.
• Abram.
• Vers. 26.
• What year of his Father he was born.

  De istis lege Ludov. Cap∣pellum. Chro∣nol. Sacra. notis ad Tabulam 5. Joh. Gerard. Vossii.

  Isagog. Chrono∣log. Dissert. 5. c. 6.

  Jacob. Cap∣pell. Hist. Sa∣cra & Exotica ad A. M. 2003, & mul∣tus alios.
• (a)

  Vers. 32.
• (b)

  Acts 7.••4
• (c)

  Gen. 12.4.
• A. M. 2008.
• SECT. I.
• Gen 11.12. Acts 7.
• He cometh from Ur to Canaan.
• A. M. 2078.
• Thence into Canaan.
• Gen. 12.
• Sojourneth in Aegypt.
• Chap. 13.
• Chap. 14.
• Recovereth Lot and the Booty from the 4 Kings.
• (d)

  Vide Bo∣chartum Pha∣leg. lib. 2. c. 10.
• Why called an Hebrew.
• (e)

  Lege Lu∣dov. Cappell. Chronol. Sacra. p. 111, &c. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• (f)

  Artapanus apud Euseb. & Charax apud Stephanum.
• Retractat. l. 2. c. 16.
• Gen. 15.
• Chap. 16.
• Ismael born.
• Chap. 17.
• A. M. 2094.
• Abraham and Sarah.
• Sodom, &c. de∣stroyed.
• Vide John. Bistelium Je∣suetam, de Illu∣stribus ruinis.
• Lege Tacitum Histor. l 5.
• Gen. 20.
• A. M. 2108.
• Isaak born.
• Chap. 21.
• Chap. 22.
• Sarah dieth.
• Chap. 23.
• Isaac married.
• Chap. 24.
• A. M. 2148.
• Chap. 25.
• A.M. 2168.
• Abraham dy∣eth.
• Apud Joseph Antiq. lib. 1. cap. 7.
• Gen. 26.
• Ismael dieth.
• His posterity.
• (g)

  Strabo l. 16. p. 779. C.
• (h)

  Lib. 19. p. 722. A.
• Gen. ••7.
• Chap. 28.29.30.
• Jacob flieth from his bro∣ther into Me∣sopotamia.
• A. M. 2246.
• His issue.
• His return.
• Chap. 31.32. &c.
• A. M. 2266.
• Apud Euseb. praeparat. Evang. lib. 9. cap. 21.
• Dinah ravi∣shed.
• Rachel dieth.
• Chap. 38.
• Joseph sold.
• A.M. 2277.
• A. M. 2288.
• Isaac dieth.
• Edom.
• Vide Fulle•• Miscell. 4. c. 20.
• Gen. 41.
• A. M. 2290.
• Joseph advan∣ced.
• A. M. 2297.
• Chap. 42, 43, &c.
• Jacob goeth into Aegypt.
• A. M. 2298.
• Chap. 47.
• Chap. 48, 49.
• A. M. 2315.
• Dieth.
• Gen. 50.
• Joseph dieth.
• A. M. 2370.
• Lib. 36. c. 2.
• Exod. 1.
• The Israelites oppressed in Aegypt.
• Chap. 2.
• Vide Pererium in 2 Exodi.
• Moses born.
• A M. 2428.
• De nominibus Haebraeis 〈◊〉〈◊〉 Jo∣sepho versis vid. Iacob. Cappellum Hist. Sacra & Exotica ad A. M. 1719.
• A. M. 2468.
• Exod. 3, & 4.
• Sent to Pha∣raoh.
• Chap. 5, & 7. &c.
• The ten Plagues of Aegypt.
• The Israelites depart.
• Exod. 12.
• A. M. 2508.
• SECT. II.
• The number of the Israe∣lites at their departure.
• Vide Pererium in 12. cap. Exod.
• Vide Jacob. Cappell. ad A. M. 2293.
• Mea memoria, in civitate La∣ctoratensi No∣vempopulaniae, puer minor an∣norum duodecim genuit ex puella consobrina sua quae nondum de∣cimum annum expleverat. Rem notam narro & cujus memoria adhuc recens est in Aquita∣nia. Pater hoc ipse de se patri meo testatus est, quod alioqui tunc ne pueri quidem ignora∣bant. Scaliger. in Parei Deut. 1.
• The Passe∣over annually to be obser∣ved.
• The Israelites passe the Red-Sea.
• Vide Strabo∣nem. l. 14. p. 666. D.
• Quails and Manna.
• Exod. 17.
• Chap. 19.20.
• The Deca∣logue.
• Hieronymus ad Fabiolum: & Leo Serm. 1. de Pentecoste.
• Biblioth. l. 1. p. 59. B. in Margine No∣tat.
• The molten Calf.
• Chap. 31. &c.
• SECT. 2.
• The Taberna∣cle reared.
• Chap. 40.
• Num. 19.
• Num. 1.
• Chap. 10.
• Chap. 23.
• Chap. 11.
• The Sanhe∣drim.
• Chap. 12.
• Miriam struck with Leprosie.
• Chap. 13.
• The Spies search the Land.
• Chap. 14.
• The Israelites commanded to turn back.
• Their Man∣sions for 37 years.
• Numb. 33.
• Miriam dieth.
• Chap. 20.
• Aaron dieth.
• Chap. 21.
• The King of Arad van∣quished.
• Chap. 33, & 34.
• Sihon King of Heshbon.
• Deut. 11.
• Numb. 21.
• Antiq. lib. 4. cap. 5.
• Og King of Bashan.
• Numb. 22.
• Numb. 22, 23, 24. Chap.
• Balaam.
• By his advice the people drawn to Ido∣latry.
• 1 Cor. 10. Numb. 26.
• Moses num∣bereth the people.
• Chap. 31.
• Balaam slain.
• Chap. 32.
• The land be∣yond Jordan divided.
• Deut. 1, &c.
• Deut. Ult.
• Moses dieth.
• A. M. 2548.
• Antiq. l. 4.
• Josh. 1, 2, 3, 4, Chapters.
• The Israelites passe over Jor∣dan into the Land of Ca∣naan.
• A. M. 2549. ineunte. Chap. 5.
• Chap. 6.
• Jericho de∣stroyed.
• Chap. 7, 8, 9.
• Chap. 10.
• The Sun and Moon stand still.
• Codomannus.
• Joshua van∣quisheth the Kings.
• Chap. 11. &c.
• A. M. 2555.
• In Vandalius.
• The Clerouchia or division of the Land.
• Chap. 14.15. &c.
• Vide Ludov. Capellum in Chronol. Sacr.
• The rise of Sabbatical years and Ju∣bilies.
• Josh. 18.
• Chap. 20.
• Joshua dieth.
• Chap. 24. v. 29. Judge 11.8.
• The Israelites fall to idola∣try.
• Chap. 3.
• Cushan oppres∣seth them.
• Vers. 8.
• Lud. Cappel∣lus.
• Jacobus Cap∣pellus.
• Judg. 20.
• Othniel deli∣vereth them.
• Judg. Chap. 3.
• Eglon oppres∣seth them.
• Delivered by Ehud.
• Shamgar judg∣eth Israel.
• Chap. 4.
• Jabin oppres∣seth them.
• And the Phi∣listins.
• Deborah and Barach deliver them.
• Usher.
• Jud. 6.
• The Midia∣nites oppresse them.
• Chap. 7.
• Gideon delive∣reth them.
• Chap. 8.
• Abimelech his Son maketh himself King.
• Chap. 9.
• Tolah judgeth Israel.
• Chap. 10.
• Jair.
• Judg. 10. ver. 8.9.
• The Philistins & Ammonites oppresse Israel.
• Chap. 11.
• Judg. 11.18.
• Jeptha over∣throweth the Ammonites.
• Chap. ult.
• Judg. 12.
• Abzon.

  Elon.

  Abdon Judges.
• The Philistins vexe Israel.
• Usher.
• Sampson.
• Eli.
• 1 Sam. 2, 3, 4. Chap.
• The Ark ta∣ken.
• Returned.
• Samuel.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• (a)

  Acts 13.10.
• (b)

  Chap. 6.1.
• From 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• Usserius Chro∣nologiae Sacrae. cap. 12.
• Vide Gerard. Joh. Vossii Isag. Chronol. Dissert. 8.
• 1 Sam. 7.
• The Philistins overthrown.
• Chap. 8.
• Chap. 11.
• The Israelites desire a King.
• Saul is King.
• Hosea 13.
• 1 Sam. 7.2.
• Chap. 10.
• Chap. 11.
• Raiseth the siege at Ja∣besh-Gilead.
• Chap. 13. &c.
• David anoint∣ed.
• Acts 13.21.
• 1 Sam. 25.
• Vers. 55.
• Chap. 31. and 1 Chron. 10.
• Saul's three sons slain, and he killeth himself.
• Ishbosheth suc∣ceedeth him.
• 2 Sam. 2.3. &c.
• A. M. 2944.
• 1 Sam. 13.1.
• 2 Sam. 2.3. &c.
• Ishbosheth slain after seven years.
• 1 Chron. 12.
• 2 Sam. 5.6, 7. &c.
• 1 Chron. 12. &c.
• David's adul∣tery and mur∣der.
• 1 Sam. 11.12, 13.
• Punished.
• A. M. 2957.
• Davidis 14.
• Amnon ravish∣eth Tamar.
• Chap. 15.16, 17, 18.
• Absolom rebel∣leth.
• Chap. 19.20.
• The conspira∣cy of Sheba.
• 2 Sam. 21. 1 Chron. 20.
• (c)

  2 Sam. 24.
• David num∣breth the peo∣ple.
• 1 Chron. 20.7.
• 1 Kings 1.
• 1 Chron. 28.29.
• Maketh Solo∣mon King.
• Dieth.
• A. M. 2985.
• 1 Kings 2.
• Solomon put∣teth Adoniah and others to death.
• Chap. 3.
• Chap. 6. Clemens Stromat. lib. 4.
• The building of the Tem∣ple.
• Ludov. Cap∣pellus.
• Solomon's Navy.
• 1 Kings. 1.
• (d)

  Strabo∣nem lege lib. 16. p. 780. D. & 781. A. B. &c. Vide Fullerum in miscellaneis.
• 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• SECT. 3.
• His buildings.
• His inconti∣nency and idolatry.
• 1 Kings 11.
• His death.
• A. M. 3025.
• 1 Kings 12.
• Ten Tribes fall off from Rehoboam.
• 2 Chron. 11. Ver. 13, 14.
• 2 Chron. 11. v. 13, 14.
• Josh. 19.9.
• 2 Chron. 31.2. & 28.19.
• 1 King. 12.14.
• He and his Subjects re∣bel against God.
• Afflicted, they humble them∣selves, and are delivered.
• Abiah.
• (a)

  2 Chron. 11.20.
• (b)

  Chap. 13.2.
• A. M. 3043.
• 1 Kings 15.
• Asa.

  A. M. 3046.
• 1 Kings 15. & 2 Chron. 14.15, 16. Chap.
• Jehosaphat.
• 1 Kings 22. A. M. 3087.
• 2 Chron. 19, 20, 21. chap.
• Joram.
• 2 Chron. 21. A. M. 3109.
• Gen. 27.40.
• 2 Chron. 21. vers. 12.
• Ahaziah. A. M. 3116.
• 2 Kings 8. & 2 Chron. 22.
• 2 Kings 9.
• Athaliah usur∣peth.
• Chap. 11. 2 Chron. 24.
• Joas.
• 2 Kings 12. A. M. 3122.
• Chap. 14.
• 2 Chron. 25. A. M. 3160.
• Uzziah.
• 2 Kings 15.
• 2 Chron. 26.
• A. M. 3201.
• Jotham.
• 2 Chron. 27.
• A. M. 3253.
• Olymp. 5. an. 4.
• A. M. 3269. Olymp. 9. an. 2. 2 Kings 16. 2 Chron. 28.
• Ahaz.
• Nicol. Damas∣cenus apud Io∣sephum An∣tiq. l. 7. c. 6.
• Hezekiah.
• A. M. 3276. Olymp. 12. an. 3.
• 2 Kings 18. 2 Chron. 29. &c.
• Esay 38.8.
• The Sun re∣turneth ten degrees back∣ward.
• Gregory, of Oxford.
• 2 Chron. 32.31.
• Manasses.
• 2 Kings 21. 2 Chron. 33. A. M. 3304. Olymp. 19. an. 4.
• Amon.
• A. M. 3359. Olymp. 33. an. 4.
• Chap. 34.
• Josiah.
• 2 Kings 23. 2 Chron. 35. A. M. 3368. Olymp. 35. an. 4.
• Jehoahaz.
• 2 Chron. 36. A. M. 3392. Olymp. 41. an. 4.
• Jehoiakim.
• Ierem. 25 1▪ & 3.
• Chap. 8.
• Pharaoh Necho slain.
• A. M. 3396. Olymp. 42. an. 4.
• Chap. 25.9. & 11.
• The begin∣ning of the Seventy years of Captivity, which is va∣riously assign∣ed.
• Ad. A. M. 3391 & 3392.
• 2 Kings 24 1.
• Ierem. 22.11. Consule Ludov. Cappellum Chronol. Sacr. p. 202.
• Chap. 22.18, 19. & 36.30.
• 2 Chron. 36. 2 Kings 23. A. M. 3404. Olymp. 44. an. 4. Nebuchad. 8.
• Jehoiakim.
• (e)

  Ezek. 1.2, 3.
• (f)

  2 Kings 24.8.
• (g)

  2 Chron. 36.9.
• Zedekiah.
• 2 Kings 25.
• Zedekiah ta∣ken.
• Jerem. 39.
• Jerusalem and the Temple burnt.
• A. M. 34••5. Olymp. 48. an. 4.

  Nebuchad. 9.
• Ezek. 4.5.
• Chap. 40.
• Chap. 41.
• Godaliah, the Governour slain.
• Chap. 42.43. &c.
• The Jews constrain Je∣remiah to go down with them into Ae∣gypt, where they stone him.
• Xonaras Tomo 1. Ter∣tullian in Scorpiaco. cap. 10. Jerem.
• SECT. 4.
• Jerem. 52.
• (h)

  Chap. 43.44, 46.
• (i)

  Chap. 29.30, 31.
• The last de∣portation.
• Jeroboam.
• 1 Kings 11.12.13, 14. 2 Chron. 11.13.
• A. M. 30••6.
• Setteth up to Golden Calves.
• Nadab.
• A. M. 3047. Asae 2.
• Baasa.
• 1 Kings 15.
• Jeroboams po∣sterity utterly destroyed.
• 2 Chron. 16.
• 1 Kings 16.
• Elah slain by Zimri.
• A. M. 3071.
• Asae 26.
• Omri.
• Tibni.
• A. M 3076.
• Asae 31.
• Vide Lud. Cappellum Chron. Sacr. pag. 179.
• Ahab mar∣rieth Jezebel.
• A. M. 3083. Asae 38.
• 1 Kings 18.
• Chap. 19.
• Chap. 20.
• A. M. 3103. Jehosaphati. 18.
• Ahaziah.
• 2 King. 1.
• Joram.
• Chap. 3.
• Chap. 8.
• Jehu annoin∣ted King.
• Chap. 9.
• A. M. 3117▪ Athaliae. 1. Chap. 10.
• Destroyeth the family of Ahab.
• Jehoahaz.
• Chap. 13.
• A. M. 3145. Joasi. 23.
• Joash.
• A. M. 3159. Joasi 37.
• Jeroboam the Second.
• Chap. 14.
• A. M. 3175. Amatziae. 16.
• (k)

  Josh. 19.13.
• (l)

  Isa. 9.1.
• 2 Kings 25.
• Zachariah.
• A. M. 3238. Hazariae. 38.
• Shallum.
• Menahem.
• Pul King of Assyria inva∣deth Israel.
• Pekahiah.
• A. M. 3250. Haraziae 50.
• Pekah.
• 2 Chron. ••8.
• 1 Chron. ••.26.
• The Reube∣nites, Gadites, and the half Tribe of Ma∣nasses, carried Captives into Assyria.
• 2 Kings 17.18. A. M. 3272. Achazi 12.
• Hoshea the nineteenth & last King of Israel.
• A. M. 3280. Ezechiae 6.
• The Israelites carried away Captive.
• The Samari∣tans placed in their room.
• SECT. 3.